In North Kivu, the troubled province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo still scarred by armed violence, Commander Hakima Edahri continues to find reasons for optimism that never leaves her.
This mother of five is the Head of the Engagement Section and Gender Focal Point of the Rapid Deployment Battalion of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces within MONUSCO. Every morning when she wakes up, she reminds herself that peace is worth every sacrifice. It is probably this conviction that led her to leave her native Morocco for Congo and the UN Mission that has been trying since 1999 to stabilize a country plagued by armed groups responsible for serious human rights violations.
“As a Moroccan peacekeeper, we have the duty to serve peace, protect civilians, and достойно represent the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces within the United Nations,” she declares.
A Demanding Environment
When MONUSCO was established in Congo in 1999, Hakima Edahri, now 45, joined her country’s army with the firm determination to serve her nation with honor and dedication.
Those same values eventually brought her to the shores of Lake Kivu.
She joined MONUSCO in October 2025. Initially deployed in Kiwanja, in the Rutshuru territory, she now continues her mission in Goma, where she actively contributes to peacekeeping efforts and civilian protection.
As a female military peacekeeper, Commander Hakima Edahri operates in a complex environment that she describes as “demanding and deeply formative.”
On the ground, particularly in Goma, she faces daily security challenges requiring constant vigilance, professional rigor, and a strong sense of responsibility.
Serving for Peace
For Commander Hakima Edahri, the role of a peacekeeper goes far beyond a military function. It represents a profound commitment to the values of the United Nations.
Since joining the Mission, she says she has strengthened her values of discipline, responsibility, and commitment—qualities essential to meeting the demands of the field and honoring the trust placed in her by both the United Nations and the Moroccan military command.
Through her daily interactions with local communities, Commander Edahri says she is deeply moved by the resilience and courage of the people of Goma and surrounding areas despite the difficult security situation.
“In Goma, through our daily contact with local populations, the resilience and courage of the people remind us every day that hope remains alive, even in the most difficult circumstances. This hope can be seen in their eyes, in the determination of families, and in their will to keep moving forward despite hardship. It deserves to be protected, supported, and strengthened through our constant commitment on the ground, with discipline, humanity, and a sense of duty,” she emphasizes.
It is from this hope, reflected in the eyes of the men and women she serves every day, that she draws the essential motivation to continue her mission with professionalism and humanity.
Family, never too far away…
As a mother of five, Commander Hakima Edahri places great importance on her family. Deeply attached to her parents and children, she acknowledges the decisive role they have played in her personal and professional journey.
It is through their support, despite the physical distance, that she finds the strength to serve in the face of adversity and the hardships of military engagement far from home.
“My family is my greatest strength. Even far from home, their support, prayers, and trust give me the courage to continue my mission in the service of peace. The education I received from my parents, their values, sacrifices, and constant support have shaped my personality and nourished my military commitment,” she confides.
Despite the constraints of her mission and the distance, the Moroccan officer remains deeply connected to her family, whose moral and emotional support provides her with great comfort.
Helping children
As a mother, Commander Hakima Edahri is especially attentive to the plight of children. In this region where violence spares no one, they are one of the main reasons behind her unwavering commitment.
The courage of the children of North Kivu reminds us why our mission is essential,
This conviction fuels her daily dedication and strengthens her determination to help keep alive the hope of a better future for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Through her journey, Commander Hakima Edahri embodies exemplary female military leadership founded on courage, compassion, and a sense of duty.
Her commitment also highlights the essential contribution of MONUSCO peacekeepers to peacekeeping operations, alongside the international community, in a collective effort to promote stability and protect civilian populations.
This year, the United Nations is celebrating the International Day of UN Peacekeepers under the theme “Investing in Peace.”
For Commander Hakima Edahri, as for thousands of other peacekeepers around the world, “Investing in Peace” sometimes simply means bringing back a smile to the face of a child confronted with a violent and incomprehensible world.
And it is in that smile that Commander Hakima Edahri finds the true meaning of her commitment—far from her native Morocco.
-Aline KATALIKO
