Gambian troops prepare for Darfur

BANJUL, Gambia, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Gambian armed forces are undergoing specialized training from British troops in preparation for a deployment to the volatile Darfur region of Sudan.

The United Kingdom's Royal Gibraltar Regiment, the British unit in Gibraltar, is in Gambia training infantry soldiers and paramilitary police from the Gambian armed forces. The Gambian soldiers are receiving specialized training ahead of their deployment to support the United Nations-African Union mission in Darfur, the British Ministry of Defense reported.

Officials say as many as 350 soldiers and paramilitary personnel are undergoing ordnance clearance and vehicle checkpoint operation training among other initiatives to help the U.N.-AU operations secure Darfur.

"These guys have lots of ability and enthusiasm, but they lack technical knowledge," Cpl. Norman Pozo said in a statement.

"I particularly enjoy the work, because I really feel that I'm accomplishing something with them."