3 August 2005

1,300 African Union peacekeepers airlifted to Darfur News 29/07/2005 - SHAPE NATOs support to the African Union Mission is underway 01/07/2005 - Update NATO starts airlifting African Union troops to Darfur Background NATOs assistance to the African Union for Darfur In July, NATO has airlifted over 1,300 additional African Union peacekeepers into Darfur, helping the Union boost its presence on the ground in a concerted effort to end mass killings and rape in the region. The Alliance will continue to airlift additional peacekeepers into Darfur in August and September. A bid to end violence NATO agreed on 8 June 2005 to help the African Union expand its peacekeeping mission in Darfur. NATO’s airlift mission began on 1 July. Since then United States C-130 and C-17 aircraft has moved approximately 680 troops to the region, while the United Kingdom supported the airlift of another 680 troops. The Alliance’s support is being closely coordinated with the African Union and with other international actors, particularly the European Union and the United Nations. In addition to further airlifts, NATO will help to train African Union personnel in key headquarters functions such as command and control, logistics and planning.