UN Peace Keepers Day 2016 has been commemorated in Goma on Friday June 3, 2016 with lots of pump and color. The activity which took place at helipad in the MONUSCO Larva Site compound was attended by North Kivu provincial governor Julien Paluku, MONUSCO North Kivu acting Head Office Josiah Obat, relevant local authorities, Politicians, NGOs, UN Agencies, UN Blue helmets and MONUSCO staff members.

After the playing of the UN Nations Anthem, three wreaths were laid in memory of fallen soldiers by the North Kivu brigade Commander, North Kivu Governor and MONUSCO North Kivu acting Head   of Office as the highest tribute to the more than 3,400 peacekeepers who have lost their lives while in service during that period.

In the speeches that followed all speakers who included the North Kivu brigade Commander who reflected on the huge contribution of Blue helmets in North Kivu and DRC. He added that Indian Battalion have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 2015.

Governor Julien Paluku on his part reflected on the contributions of UN Peace Keepers in the quest of peace especially those who have lost their lives without which nothing would have been achieved. He recognized that much has been done in North Kivu though much more is still left to be done to ensure lasting peace in the province of North Kivu paying homage to their plight. ’We are hearts and minds with their families for their loss”. There is so much honour to loose one’s life for a just cause and risky mission by the Blue helmets the governor went on. Recalling that the Peace Keepers Day came on the heels of the world wars of 1948.

He appreciated the resumption of the joint operations between MONUSCO and FARDC in neutralizing all negative armed groups in North Kivu to eradicate all forms of in security in the province of North Kivu in particular and Eastern DRC as a whole.

The Acting Head of Office presented the UN Secretary General’s speech highlighting the theme “Honouring Our Heroes” in which he said more than 105,000 uniformed personnel from 124 troop- and police-contributing countries serve under the blue flag, along with 18,000 international and national civilian staff and UN Volunteers.  Manifesting the best attributes of global solidarity, courageously serving in dangerous environments to provide security to some of the world’s most vulnerable”

Other high points on the celebration included a colourful Military march parade by the Indians, Guatemala, URUBATT contingents and the PNC. A  ballet dance  by cultural dance group “Ballet Culturelle du Nord Kivu » graced the occasion.

Martha Biongo /PIO Goma