Tribute to Courageous Moroccan Peacekeepers
On Friday, in a solemn ceremony held in New York, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres paid heartfelt tribute to three courageous Moroccan peacekeepers from the Royal Armed Forces. This annual event is dedicated to honoring the bravery and sacrifice of both civilian and uniformed personnel who have tragically lost their lives while serving in UN peacekeeping operations. During the ceremony, Guterres presented the prestigious posthumous Dag Hammarskjöld Medal to Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Omar Hilale, who was accompanied by Colonel Najim Assid, the military adviser from Morocco’s Permanent Mission to the UN. This recognition underscores the significant contributions of Moroccan peacekeepers in various global missions.
Among the fallen, two peacekeepers served valiantly with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, while the third was deployed with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In an emotional message delivered at the ceremony, Hilale extended his deepest condolences to the families of the fallen heroes and to the broader UN peacekeeping community. He expressed profound admiration for the selflessness demonstrated by those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of peace and the fundamental values upheld by the United Nations.
Morocco's Commitment to Global Peacekeeping
Currently, Morocco boasts a commendable deployment of 1,714 peacekeepers in MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and MINUSCA (United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic), positioning the nation among the top ten troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions worldwide. The ceremony also served to honor the memory of nearly 4,500 peacekeepers who have lost their lives in UN operations since 1948, a stark reminder of the risks involved in these vital missions. Guterres highlighted that 59 military, police, and civilian personnel have died under the UN flag in just the past year alone.
These fallen peacekeepers hailed from 33 different countries, epitomizing the very best of humanity—individuals willing to risk everything for the protection of others. Guterres remarked that globally, a United Nations peacekeeper symbolizes hope for those enduring their darkest times. He further emphasized the extraordinary commitment of troop-contributing nations, noting that over two million men and women have served in 71 peacekeeping missions across four continents. This dedication is commemorated each year on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, established by the UN General Assembly in 2002, to honor all those engaged in peace operations and to remember those who have given their lives in this noble cause.
As reported by en.yabiladi.com.
