International Peacekeepers day 29/05/2015 has been celebrated in Goma with the paying of Homage to fallen Blue Helmets serving under the United Nations Flag the World over , DRC and North Kivu in particular for 70 years now.

The Occasion was very subtle especially with prevailing security situation in the Eastern part of the country and North Kivu in particular where negative armed groups continue with the exactions, brutal killing, rape, kidnapping , extortion and all forms violence including gender based .

With this very particular situation in mind the Deputy Special Representation of the Secretary General for Rule of Law David Gressly before presenting the UN Secretary Message for the day said ‘no Peace can be achieved without the presence and participation of blues Helmets consisting of men and women who in hearts and minds have sacrificed their lives and are away from their families and loved ones toiling night and day in quest for peace and security, protecting civilians faced with danger in conflict zones.’

DSRG Gressly added that in North Kivu more than 6000 Uniform are distributed throughout the province.

A province he went on is prone to insecurity created by a multitude of National and International armed groups. But thanks to the joint efforts of FARDC with the support of MONUSCO forces were able to oust/defeat the most difficult threat of M23 in 2013.
An enormous sacrifice which came to an end with loss of lives including the Blue helmets during the operations.

“Our determination and that of the Blue helmets is to eliminate these armed groups in collaboration with FARDC” DSRSG Gressly concluded.

Other speakers during the Occasion included UN Police Commission, General Pascal Champion who paid tribute especially to Blue Helmets who have lost their lives in the World and in DRC in particular making reference to MONUSCO forces who amongst other were ambushed recently through ambush in Beni “we are all exposed in danger to die’ thanking all for their modest contribution honoring Peace Keepers in the world.

MONUSCO deputy force commander General Jean Baillaud on his part said the Peace Keepers Day was a memorial ,stock taking and MONUSCO’s expression to find peace in DR Congo where soldiers have lost their lives as testimony in search for a peaceful and stable country.

Describing the fallen soldiers as Martyrs he reiterated MONUSCO engagements to combat alongside regular forces of DRC negative armed groups to achieve Peace and stability in the country.

The Vice governor of North Kivu Feller Lutahitchirwa after paying a glowing tribute to Peace Keepers in the world in general paid particular homage to two Tanzanian FIB soldiers who died recent in an ambushed by negative armed group recalling their sacrifices to bring peace especially to Eastern DRC and North Kivu in particular.

The Vice governor then used the occasion to call on MONUSCO to change their tactics in application of UN Resolution 2098 creating the FIB and authorizing the mission to track and eradicate all negative groups to achieve positive results in the country and the great lake region.

Other highlights of the commemoration of the Peacekeepers day in Goma included the laying of wreaths in memory of fallen soldiers reading of UN SG speech by DSRSG ROL-Ops East, a military parade and a photo exhibition of activities of the forces.

This was spiced by some humor by humorists on MONUSCO mandate and music provided by a local life orchestra.

It should be noted that this year’s celebration of the International Peacekeepers Day coincided with the 70 anniversary of the United Nations.

Martha Biongo /PIO Goma.