Nigerian Base Defense Company entered UNISFA on March 15 to join the remains of the Multinational UN Peacekeeping Operations. With the addition of the Nigerian UN Peacekeepers, there are now 8 nations that contribute troops to UNISFA.
Despite initial difficulties, the Force has been able to carry out its mission by protecting civilians, engaging with the two host governments and the host communities to promote dialogue, supporting humanitarian organizations that help the underprivileged, and supporting the two-country teams. Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr, the Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, made this claim in his speech during the Parade held to mark the one-year anniversary.
He valued the Local Administration’s and the Traditional Institutions’ collaboration in fostering a cordial discourse that would result in the decision regarding the ultimate status of Abyei. He praised the UN Headquarters’ assistance with high-level visits, financial help, and logistical support. He commended the AFPs, relief organizations, and NGOs for helping to provide humanitarian aid to the local populations.
Further praising the Military, Police, and Citizen components of the Mission for their cooperative efforts, General Sawyerr concluded. He enumerated a number of accomplishments made by the Mission in the previous year and promised to strengthen the Rule of Law support strategy and the SOP on Detention in order to defend the citizens’ basic human rights.
The UN’s fundamental principles of integrity, impartiality, professionalism, and respect for gender and diversity will continue to guide the Mission’s operations, he added. He recognized the contributions made by the Female Participation Teams and expressed happiness that all contingents would keep boosting the number of women participating in UN peacekeeping. Despite all of the successes, the Acting Chief of Mission and Force Commander acknowledged that there are still issues that need to be resolved.
He encouraged the Peacekeepers to put in their all-out effort rather than to take it easy. He claimed that peacekeeping is an unappreciated task done for the sake of maintaining world order.
