§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom armed forces personnel he plans to commit in the event of United 1889W Nations intervention in Sudan; what estimate he has made of the likely cost of such a mission; and if he will make a statement. [188066]
§ Mr. IngramWe currently plan to commit three United Kingdom staff officers to the proposed UN Mission in Sudan following a Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of Sudan and the southern-based Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army. This Mission will deploy once the final agreements have been signed by the parties. One officer is currently deployed within the UN Advanced Mission. The UK Assessed Contribution to UN Peacekeeping is 7.43 per cent. in addition to any costs associated with the deployment of UK personnel, which we will meet. We would expect that the UK contribution would be in the region of £20 million, should the Mission deploy as currently envisaged.
In the Darfur region of Sudan, a separate African Union mission is operating. No UK military personnel are currently committed to it. The AU mission is still evolving and any request for UK military support will be considered. We are currently not aware of any UN plans for involvement in this region.