Three deployments of a total of 346 peacekeepers recently returned to Cambodia: 144 from the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, 129 from the Airport Engineering Unit and 73 from the military. Heng Chivoan
The National Coordination Committee and the National Centre for Peacekeeping Force (NPMEC) held an awards ceremony for Cambodian peacekeeping troops who recently completed humanitarian missions under the UN umbrella in Mali and South Sudan.
The Kingdom is committed to training new generations of peacekeepers who take over missions on the international stage.
The December 18 ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Tea Seiha, UN resident coordinator to Cambodia Joseph Scheuer and NPMEC director-general Sem Sovanny.
Sovanny reported that three deployments of a total of 346 peacekeepers recently returned to their homeland: 144 from the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, 129 from the Airport Engineering Unit and 73 from the military. They all performed their duties successfully, with pride.
He explained that in the Mali mission, the Cambodian forces had faced complicated issues, traditional and non-traditional, caused by state and non-state actors. However, the “blue helmets” were dedicated to carrying out their roles and duties and achieved excellent results for the nation.
He added that in South Sudan, they faced similar issues, due to tribal conflicts and the occupation of large strategic areas. The conflicts posed an obstacle to implementing peace agreements and providing humanitarian assistance. He noted that 111 people, including UN staff and local military personnel, had sacrificed their lives for cause of peace in the country.
“We are committed to continuing to provide training to new generations of peacekeepers so they will continue to have successful deployments, based on good experiences and the lessons we have learned. The UN has fine-tuned the theories and lessons in line with the geographical locations of
each operational area,” he continued.
He said the Cambodian forces had shared their skills and experience with several other countries which served in areas of instability. They united to resolve conflicts and restore security and peace in their operational areas.
According to NPMEC, Scheuer shared his admiration for the way the Cambodian forces had built peace, security and friendships. His presence not only served to welcome the repatriation of the Kingdom’s forces, but all forces which are part of the UN family. Each of them wore the blue beret and the UN insignia on their uniform, and performed their duties under the UN flag, he said.
Seiha described the return of the peacekeepers as another achievement among the many accomplished by the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF).
“These missions showed our will to respect discipline and the capacity and professionalism of Cambodian blue berets on humanitarian missions under the UN umbrella. This demonstrates the potential of the RCAF,” he added.
He thanked the parents and families of each of the peacekeepers for permitting their children and loved ones to take part in the voluntary missions to preserve the peace.
