Some 173 peacekeepers from the 5th contingent of the Egyptian Engineering Company of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) based in Yamoussoukro, situated at 243 kilometres from Abidjan, were decorated with the United Nations Medal on 6 January 2015, in recognition of their contribution to the peace process in Côte d'Ivoire.

Speaking at the ceremony, which was attended by the Egyptian Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, Mr. Usama Khalil, and a Representative of the School of Armed Forces of Côte d'Ivoire, Lieutenant Colonel Tchoumé Hervé, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou said « On behalf of the UN Secretary-General, it is my pleasure to decorate you with the United Nations Peacekeeping Medal in recognition of your remarkable contribution to the peace process in Côte d'Ivoire ».



The head of UNOCI also thanked the civilian and military authorities of Côte d'Ivoire for their presence at the ceremony and their close collaboration with UNOCI peacekeepers.



The Commander of the 5th contingent of the Egyptian Engineering Company, Alaa Eldin Talaat, in his message, highlighted the professionalism of his peacekeepers who have "won over the hearts and sympathy of local people in the localities where they have worked".



The Egyptian Engineering Company has been deployed in Côte d'Ivoire since December 2009.