Cambodia dispatched a new batch of 346 peacekeepers, to join a United Nations peacekeeping mission, in war-torn African nations of Mali and South Sudan, yesterday.
The new batch was originally scheduled to replace the existing team in both African countries in 2019, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Foreign Minister, Prak Sokhonn, who is also chairman of the National Coordination Committee, for U.N. Peacekeeping Operations Mission.
“Cambodia has become one of the leading countries in sending its deminers, to alleviate the suffering of other people, affected by the effects of war,” he said, during a farewell ceremony held at the Training School for Multinational Peacekeeping Forces, here.
The nation first sent troops overseas on the U.N. peacekeeping missions in 2006.
“Until 2022, Cambodia dispatched a total of 8,302 peacekeepers, to join the U.N. peacekeeping missions in nine countries, namely Sudan, South Sudan, Chad, the Central African Republic, Lebanon, Cyprus, Syria, Mali, and Yemen,” Sokhonn said. “Currently, 801 Cambodian peacekeepers are still performing their duties in South Sudan, Lebanon, Mali and the Central African Republic.”
Gen. Sem Sovanny, director-general of the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces, said that, of the new batch, 273 peacekeepers would be deployed to Mali and 73 to South Sudan.
The peacekeepers included airfield engineers, deminers and military medics, he said.
Sardar Umar Alam, acting coordinator of the United Nations in Cambodia, said, Mali and South Sudan were a long way from home, and this mission would undoubtedly challenge the peacekeepers professionally and personally.
“Your service does great honour to your country, and to Cambodia’s contribution to international peace, security and friendship,” he said. “Your dedication to helping others and sharing your skills with other countries affected by conflict, will provide value, a source of hope, and encouragement to many people.”
Source: NAM News Network