Ethiopia to send more troops to South Sudan

Ethiopia has said it will increase the number of its troops in South Sudan. The announcement was made on Friday by the Ethiopian government spokesman, who said the move aims at restoring calm and security in country where renewed armed conflict and fighting broke out in recent days.

At the same time the African Union is considering the establishment of a regional peace keeping brigade in South Sudan.

The resolution to establish the brigade was made by the Intergovernmental Agency for Development and endorsed by AU’s Peace and Security Council.

According to media sources, Ethiopia which chairs IGAD will spearhead the process of mobilizing the United Nations (UN) Security Council on the South Sudan conflict.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan currently has some 13,500 soldiers, with Ethiopian troops comprising the largest contingent currently estimated at 8,300 men.