Canada’s contribution to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula through Operation CALUMET, has been extended to March 31, 2022. The announcement was made earlier today by Minister of National Defence, Harjit S. Sajjan and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chrystia Freeland.
“The renewal of Operation CALUMET demonstrates Canada’s long-standing support to peace support operations in the Middle East,” said Minister Sajjan.
As an independent international organization, the MFO has been tasked with peacekeeping responsibilities in the Sinai Peninsula since 1981, when it was created by the United States with Egypt and Israel. The MFO is responsible for supervising the implementation of Annex 1 of the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty.
Comprising of about 1200 personnel from twelve nations: Australia, Canada, Colombia, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of the Fiji Islands, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay, the MFO Sinai is the largest element of the MFO with ground, air, and naval elements and civilian components.
“The renewal of Operation CALUMET demonstrates Canada’s long-standing support to peace support operations in the Middle East,” said Minister Sajjan.
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will continue its support of Operation CALUMET by contributing key personnel in different positions within the MFO based in El Gorah, Egypt. The purpose of the MFO, according to a press release, is to “supervise the implementation of the provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace, signed 40 years ago.” For over 50 years, Canada has contributed to maintaining peace in the region and has been apart of MFO since 1985.
Under the renewal, Canada will deploy 55 CAF personnel to Egypt including senior advisors, headquarters staff, and experts in fields such as remote observation, logistics, engineering, policing, and training.
“Canada’s unwavering contribution to the Multinational Force and Observers demonstrates its commitment to lasting peace and security in the Middle East,” said Minister Freeland.