Rwanda Peacekeepers in Ivory Coast get medals of excellence

{Rwanda National Police (RNP) officers were among 80 from other countries serving in the United Nations Operation in Ivory Coast (ONUCI) that received UN medals for their excellent and professional implementation of their mission goal aimed at fostering peace and security in the West African nation. }

Alongside officers from other nations serving under the mission, 47 Rwandan peacekeepers were awarded the medals by Simon Munzu, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Côte d’Ivoire on March 12, in a function held in Abidjan.

In his speech, Munzu commended the peacekeepers for their consistent professionalism and exemplary hard work in protecting civilians and supporting the government of Ivory Coast to enforce peace and security.

“Continue to lead by example and ensure that your work in Ivory Coast is a legacy that will be remembered even when you leave. The people of Ivory Coast depend on you to continue doing your work with zeal, as you represent your country with excellence,” he said.

The UN Police Commissioner for UNOCI, CP Vianney Nshimiyimana, said that the mission was successful in bringing positive reforms in the security sector, civilian protection, overseeing the disarmament process and developing the capacity of the Ivorian Police force.

“Your commitment to contributing to the maintenance of international peace and security is based on the firm belief that the international community has a responsibility to prevent conflict and to act when confronted with challenges to peace and security. Continue serving well to ensure that this cooperation leads to sustainable international peace,” he said.

UNOCI was established in 2004 with a mandate to facilitate the implementation the Ivorian peace agreement signed in January 2003.

Rwanda deployed its first peacekeepers to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) in 2004 – and has since then emerged as one of the largest and most effective peacekeepers in the world, contributing 199 police officers in eight missions.

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