On the occasion of the celebration of the International Day dedicated to them this Friday, May 29, in Kinshasa, the head of MONUSCO paid tribute to “the peacekeepers who lost their lives in the service of others.”
For James Swan, this commemoration is “a day of gratitude during which we honor the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of the women and men who serve under the United Nations flag in the cause of peace.”
The head of MONUSCO recalled that since the creation of the Mission in 1999 under the name MONUC, 469 peacekeepers from 53 countries have lost their lives.
James Swan noted that for more than two decades, “the DRC has been one of the United Nations’ most demanding peacekeeping environments.”
“In difficult and often dangerous conditions,” he explained, “peacekeepers from many countries have served with dedication alongside the Congolese people to support peace, stability, and the protection of civilians. We sincerely thank the member states that, for more than 25 years, have sent their sons and daughters to serve peace in the Congo.”
“They Did Not Die in Vain”
Ambassador Noël Mbemba, who represented the Congolese government at the ceremony, also honored the memory of the peacekeepers who died under the UN flag in the DRC.
“The celebration of this Peacekeepers’ Day gives the Congolese government the opportunity to express its gratitude and deep appreciation to the international community, through MONUSCO, whose valuable and constant support remains undeniable. It is also an opportunity to pay special tribute to the peacekeepers who fell here and elsewhere. They did not die in vain,” he declared.
Ambassador Mbemba also praised the troop-contributing countries whose commitment supports the Congo in “the reconquest of its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
Together with the head of MONUSCO and other ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps stationed in Kinshasa, he laid a wreath before the memorial bearing the names of peacekeepers who died in the service of peace in the DRC.
Honor and Commitment
Peacekeepers’ Day is also an opportunity to recognize the work of those still serving, “those who continue to serve MONUSCO with honor and commitment.”
“They protect civilians, support local peace efforts, assist in strengthening national institutions, and contribute to creating the conditions for greater stability as well as the gradual restoration of state authority,” James Swan emphasized.
The head of MONUSCO recalled the values that guide United Nations peacekeeping: service, solidarity, courage, and hope.
For Ambassador Noël Mbemba, in order for this commitment to continue, MONUSCO must be adequately funded.
For peacekeepers to carry out commendable work, they must be provided with the necessary resources
He also stated that the reduction in Mission funding raises concerns about the impact it could have on operations in the DRC.
“For the effective implementation of the mandate contained in Resolutions 2773 and 2808, MONUSCO needs predictable and sustainable funding. This is why the government continues to advocate with donors for an expansion of the budget allocated for this purpose,” the ambassador stressed.
This year, the International Day of UN Peacekeepers was celebrated under the theme “Investing in Peace.” This year’s edition calls for measures to ensure that civilian and military peacekeeping personnel have the resources needed to fulfill their essential mandates.
“At a time when tensions are rising, peacekeeping remains a recognized and cost-effective means of restoring stability and renewing hope. But to do so, it requires constant political support — and reliable financial backing,” said the UN Secretary-General in his message marking the occasion.
Joël BOFENGO
