Sudan Mission

The German parliament's decision came as the UN continues to press Sudan to allow another 300 UN peacekeepers into Darfur, with only the opposition Left Party opposing the mission. Of 552 votes, 497 members of parliament were in favor of the extension until November 15, while 32 were against it and 23 abstained.

39 unarmed German soldiers and five police officers are currently taking part in the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) at a cost of some 800,000 euros ($1.09m). The mandate allows for up to 75 German troops, while the total UNMIS consists of 10,000 soldiers, of which 750 are observers, and 700 police personnel.

"It's important we support the peace process in Sudan," said Gert Weisskirchen, foreign policy spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party. "Despite its modest means, this mission is far more than just symbolic."

Strong criticism

During the debate, politicians from all parties spoke out about human rights abuses in Darfur and strongly criticized the Sudanese government in Khartoum, recently accused by the UN of flying arms into Darfur in planes disguised with UN symbols, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

According to the United Nations, the situation in Sudan is currently the world's worst humanitarian crisis. About 200,000 people have been killed and two million displaced in the four-year conflict in Darfur that began as a rebellion and turned into a savage conflict involving government forces, tribes and villagers.

EU called on to act

But despite escalating violence in the region, the EU has shied away from imposing tougher sanctions on the Sudanese government.

Berlin has also adopted a motion for a resolution to push the EU to increase fundung to the African Union's mission in Darfur, as well as to humanitarian aid programs in the region, including in neighboring Chad and the Central African Republic. The German government also wants the EU to encourage Russia and China to step up pressure on Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir's government.

At a meeting of in Luxembourg earlier this week, the bloc's 27 foreign ministers complained that humanitarian aid to the trouble-spot is moreover being hampered by red tape, with Germany's Frank-Walter Steinmeier of the Social Democrats describing the situation as "extremely disturbing."

The UNMIS mandate

The UN Security Council established the UN Mission in Sudan in March 2005, initially for a period of six months.

According to its mandate, UNMIS is tasked with supporting the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. UNMIS is also tasked with facilitating the voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons; providing demining assistance; and contributing towards international efforts to protect and promote human rights in Sudan.

The mandate authorizes UNMIS to have up to 10,000 military personnel and an appropriate civilian component, including up to 715 civilian police personnel.