The Australian Government today offered to contribute up to 25 Australian Defence Force (ADF) and ten Australian Federal Police (AFP) personnel to the new United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
The Prime Minister made the offer to the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, during their meeting today. The Secretary-General thanked the Prime Minister for the offer, and noted Australia's enduring support for UN peacekeeping missions.
This contribution is part of the Government's commitment to support the people of South Sudan build a viable and secure future, following South Sudan's declaration of independence on 9 July 2011.
It also complements the Government's $16 million of development support to assist South Sudan deliver basic services such as education, maternal health and sanitation, and to support rural livelihoods over the next two years.
Australia is a long-standing supporter of the UN's peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations. Australia has contributed approximately 180 ADF and 84 AFP peacekeepers to the United Nations Mission in Sudan since 2005. More broadly, we have provided more than 65,000 personnel to more than 50 UN and other multilateral peace and security operations since 1947.