The Bangladeshi Contingent of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) based in the western region of Tonkpi, were decorated with the United Nations Medal, on Tuesday, 16 December 2014 in Man, situated at 600 km west of Abidjan.



Some 750 peacekeepers from Daloa, Bouaké, Abidjan, Danané and Odiénné were decorated during the ceremony which was chaired by UNOCI Force Commander, General Hafiz Masroor Ahmed and attended by the first secretary-general of the local government in Man, Victor Gnangbi Diby and several civilian and military officials as well as local traditional leaders.

Speaking during the ceremony UNOCI Force Commander, General Hafiz praised the professionalism and devotion shown by the Bangladeshi contingent who have been serving in the UN Mission since 2004.



For his part, the Bangladeshi Contingent Commander based in Man, Colonel M. Raqibul Haq, highlighted the good relations between his men and the local population. He said that his troops provided local people with humanitarian assistance, security and medical treatment.



It should be recalled that Bangladeshi troops have been participating in peacekeeping missions since 1988 and have so far served in 40 operations in 30 countries. Officers, junior officers and men decorated on 16 December 2014, are serving with Bangladeshi Formed Police Unit, Bangladeshi Engineering, Bangladeshi Medical and Bangladeshi Task Force, which carry out reconnaissance flights, logistic operations, medical evacuation and security operations as part of their respective mandates.