REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, Darfur -- The government in North Darfur said Indonesian troops joined in the hybrid peacekeeping missions in Darfur (UNAMID) were arrested on Friday (January 20) at local time at the al-Fashir airport, Sudan. They were trying to smuggle weapons and ammunition and what appeared to be valuable minerals.

The Sudanese Media Centre said a variety of weapons and ammunition smuggled, including 29 Kalashnikov rifles, four guns, six GM3 rifles, and 61 different types of pistols besides a large numbers of ammunition. 

UNAMID reportedly launched an investigation after confirming the incident. The Indonesian UNAMID was departing after completing its service within the framework of the routine change. According to the Indonesian press last week, the Indonesian National Police deployed a task force consisting of 140 personnel to Darfur as part of the UN peacekeeping mission to replace the previous team.

The hybrid mission has been deployed in Darfur since December 2007 with a mandate to stop the violence against civilians in the western Sudanese region. It is the largest international peacekeepers with an annual budget of 1.35 billion dollars and nearly 20 thousand troops.

Sudan, African Union and the UN since two years have been holding discussions on the UNAMID’s exit from the western Sudan. The security situation is stable and the government efforts to curb the tribal violence have been successful following many internally displaced people (IDP) who choose to return to their original homes.

Until this news was revealed, Republika has not been able to contact the Indonesian Embassy in Khartoum or Sudan's Ambassador to Indonesia.

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