Australia will join an international force under the United Nations Assistance Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) to help implement a plan to restore peace and stability to the strife torn region of Sudan.
Working under the code name Operation HEDGEROW, nine ADF Officers would be employed within the UNAMID Headquarters in logistics, movement and operational areas.
ADF participation in UNAMID is subject to final agreement by the Government of Sudan.
These appointments will provide ADF officers with an opportunity to serve within the UNAMID Headquarters and demonstrate the high level of confidence that the UN places in the ADF.
Darfur has been a continuing tragedy and the Australian Government has a responsibility to act and this contribution demonstrates our commitment to the UN and restoring peace and stability in Darfur.
An estimated 200,000 people have died from the combined effects of war, famine and diseases since 2003 and an estimated two million people have been displaced.
When fully deployed, UNAMID will become the UN's largest peacekeeping operation with an estimated 20,000 troops and 6,000 police and civilian personnel.
The Australia Government has also pledged five million dollars in humanitarian assistance to the people of Darfur. Preliminary planning has commenced for the ADF deployment to UNAMID.