In a first, the United Nations Interim Force for Abyei (UNISFA) recently welcomed the deployment of the all-women platoon of United Nations peacekeepers from India. The move is considered historical because it’s the single-largest deployment of an all-women battalion by India in recent times. The platoon is set to work under the UNISFA’s guidance, and reaffirms India’s commitment towards preserving the UN’s mandate.
Abyei is a conflict-ridden region between South Sudan and Sudan which has held a special administrative status since 2004, with the UN Mission monitoring the border and facilitating humanitarian aid in the region. The UNISFA strengthens the Abyei Police Services (APS) by providing them with personnel training as well as law and order coordination. These services were set in place after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) decided to respond to the imminent threat of violence to civilians in the region in a resolution in 2011.
On January 16, 2023, the UNISFA took to Twitter to laud the Indian women’s battalion and the valuable role it will play in maintaining stability in the area.
"All-women platoon from (India) recently deployed to UNISFA, has arrived in Abyei and is deployed in Rumajak and Dokura in sector centre. Indian battalion plays a valuable role in maintaining peace and stability in Abyei," the UNISFA tweeted.
"UNISFA is excited to welcome the deployment of the single largest all-women platoon of peacekeepers in recent years from India. They join @IndBatt serving in Abyei. The deployment reaffirms India's continued commitment to the implementation of the UNISFA mandate," UNISFA stated in a separate tweet.
“More #WomenInPeacekeeping means more efficient operations and they help better reflect the people we serve," Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, tweeted.