Some 735 soldiers from the Senegalese Contingent (SENBATT) of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), including 650 members of the Rapid Rection Force (RRF) and 85 members of the Helicopter Unit based in Daloa have been decorated with the United Nations Medal.

The official ceremony, presided over by UNOCI’s Deputy Force Commander (DFC), General M’Bemba Keïta, took place in the UN Mission’s headquarters in Yamoussoukro on Wednesday, 20 April 2016, in the presence of several representatives of the administrative and military authorities of the Lake District.

Deployed in Côte d’Ivoire in February 2015, the mandate of Regional Rapid Reaction Force includes contributing to the preservation of peace by reinforcing the UN Mission’s capacity to respond to security incidents in Côte d’Ivoire. The RRF also contributed to security provisions during the conduct of presidential election in October 2015. In March 2016, following violent incidents in Bouna, in the northeast, the RRF was deployed in the area to support local forces in an effor to protect local people. It also carries out security operations in other UN peacekeeping mission such as in the Central African Republic (CAR) where it provided security during the Pope’s visit and the presidential and legislative elections.

In his address at the ceremony, the DFC expressed UNOCI’s gratitude to the elite unit and the Helicopter Unit for their inestimable support. General Keïta thanked all the Senegalese peacekeepers for their contribution to the return of peace in Côte d’Ivoire.

«On behalf of the United Nations Secretary-General, it is my honour to decorate you with UN Medal in recognition of your remarkable contribution to the peace process in Côte d’Ivoire. Your actions to protection the population, social cohesion and national reconciliation is welcomed by everyone. The medal of distinction that you have received today is the crowning moment of the excellent work that you have carried out», he said.

Earlier, General Keïta stressed the need for peacekeepers to observe and strictly adhere to the United Nations Code of Conduct for all personnel and to bear in mind the Organisation’s zero tolerance policy on sexual abuse and exploitation.

‘’ Dear peacekeepers never forget that we are committed to ensuring that there is zero impunity for those found guilty of violating the UN’s zero tolerance policy on sexual abuse and exploitation.