The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) has decorated 83 police officers based in Sector West with the UN Medal for services rendered to the peacekeeping mission. The official medal parade ceremony took place in Daloa on Friday, 20 September 2013 in the presence of administrative and military authorities in the City of Antilopes.

Originating from 17 countries, the medal recipients, dressed in their ceremonial uniforms, reiterated their willingness to continue to work tirelessly for the UN Mission in carrying out its mandate to accompany the Ivorian Government in journey towards complete security all over the country, reconstruction and lasting peace.



The head of the UN Police in Côte d'Ivoire, Lieutenant-colonel Monbelli-Valloire, congratulated his men on the courage they had shown in accomplishing the daily duties. "{The United Nations Medal is a recognition of the sacrifices you have made in serving with this UN Mission,}" he told them. There are still great challenges to overcome, he continued, which means that the United Nations police officers

must accomplish their mission with devotion. " {The steps that still need to be taken in order to rebuild peace are many. They will be even more difficult, thereby requiring even more effort, sacrifice and perseverance on your part. You must always carry out your mission with honour,}" he told the medal recipients.



It should be recalled that UNPOL has a mandate to assist the Ivorian forces in providing security for the population and their belongings and support the reconstitution and reform of security administration in an effort to contribute to the restoration of lasting peace in a democratic Côte d'Ivoire.