« On behalf of the United Nations Secretary-General, it is my honour to decorate you with the United Nations Peacekeeping Medal in recognition of your remarkable contribution to the peace process in Côte d'Ivoire », declared the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, during a medal parade ceremony for 705 peacekeepers from 21st contingent of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (MORBATT), 14 May 2015, Duékoué, situated in the west of Côte d'Ivoire some 484 kilometres from Abidjan.



The ceremony was attended by a delegation from the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces led by Colonel Adellatif Amharech and UNOCI Force Commander General Hafiz Masroor Ahmed.



Explaining the reasons behind the awarding of the United Nations Medal, the Special Representative said it symbolises « the gratitude of the United Nations towards a soldier of peace for his devotion, professionalism and contribution to the restoration of peace ». Aïchatou Mindaoudou recalled « the necessity for peacekeepers to strcitly observe the United Nations Code of Conduct and respect the laws and rules of Côte d'Ivoire » adding that « the principle of peacekeeping gets its strength from the observation of indispensables values in order to accomplish the daily tasks ».



The head of UNOCI also thanked the Ivorian authorities and the people in Duékoué for their unfailing support to the troops of the Moroccan Battalion.

In the same vein, the Commander of MORBATT's 21st contingent, Colonel Hassan Nouh thanked his guests for their presence, adding that « these moments are a source of pride and encouragement » because they illustrate « the gratitude felt for the contribution made by Moroccan peacekeepers to maintaining peace and security in Côte d'Ivoire ». It should be noted that MORBATT peacekeepers have carried out a number of tasks in the region, such as : 1300 patrols, 600 escort missions, 270 security missions, 90 operational exercises including reconnaissance missions with the Forces Républicaines de Côte d'Ivoire (FRCI) in Bereblo and Gnanto islands on the Cavally River along the border between Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia, maintenance of order, support to the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintégration (DDR) process for ex-combatants, as well as support to arms embargo operations. With regard to their civil-military actions, MORBATT peacekeepers distribute 1000 tons of potable water to local people, 180 school kits, 15 trophees and sports equipment to neighbourhood teams and sports associations.



The first Moroccan Contingent was deployed in Côte d'Ivoire in 2004.