The day after his arrival in Goma, North Kivu Province, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Head of MONUSCO, Mr. James Swan, visited the base of the Uruguayan contingent (URUBATT) on Thursday, 11 June 2026, to commend the remarkable work carried out by Uruguayan peacekeepers in the service of peace and the protection of civilian populations in the DRC.
Upon his arrival at the base, the Head of MONUSCO received a warm welcome from members of the contingent. The visit provided an opportunity to express his appreciation to the Uruguayan peacekeepers for their professionalism, commitment and contribution to stabilization efforts in the eastern part of the country.
Mr. Swan made a particular point of congratulating Sergeant Matias Reyes, currently deployed with MONUSCO, who was one of the two recipients of the prestigious Mbaye Diagne Medal, awarded on 5 June at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Addressing members of the Uruguayan contingent, James Swan commended the exemplary commitment of Sergeant Reyes, as well as that of all Uruguayan peacekeepers, while emphasizing the exceptional nature of this distinction: “The medal awarded by UN Headquarters is often not presented in any given year. It is a rare and very special honour. This recognition pays tribute to the work of your battalion and the entire Uruguayan team deployed here,” he said.
Sergeant Reyes was honoured for saving the lives of twelve soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) who were seriously wounded during the violent clashes that took place in Goma in January 2025 between the FARDC and the M23 armed group. Despite an extremely dangerous environment marked by heavy gunfire and continuous explosions, he demonstrated remarkable courage by assisting the wounded at great personal risk.
Paying tribute to this heroic act, James Swan stated:
Sergeant Reyes, your actions in Goma in January 2025 reflect the very best of United Nations peacekeeping. In a moment of extreme danger, under intense fire, you showed courage, discipline, selflessness and an unwavering sense of duty. Your actions saved lives and demonstrated, in the clearest possible way, what peacekeepers are called upon to do in the most difficult circumstances. Your bravery is a source of pride not only for MONUSCO, but also a powerful reminder of the values that guide service under the United Nations flag.
James Swan also underlined that this distinction honours all peacekeepers serving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Concluding his remarks, the Special Representative praised the commitment of the Uruguayan contingent and its dedication to the ideals of the United Nations: “Your conduct in Goma is a tribute to the highest traditions of peacekeeping and to the noble values that this Mission strives to uphold every day,” he said.
This visit reflects MONUSCO’s recognition of the men and women serving under the United Nations flag who, through their dedication and courage, contribute every day to the promotion of peace, security and the protection of populations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Aline Kataliko
