The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, on Thursday, 13 March 2014, in Abidjan, decorated peacekeepers from the 19th Togolese contingent (TOGOBATT) of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), with the United Nations Medal.



Speaking at the ceremony, the head of the UN mission said that the decorating of the Togolese peacekeepers with the United Nations Medal was in recognition of their devotion to their duty as soldiers of peace, their professionalism and their arduous work and contribution to the restoration of peace.

"Today is a day of prestige and honour for all the soldiers in the Togolese contingent whatever their rank. It is an expression of your continued efforts and your impeccable contribution to maintaining peace in Côte d'Ivoire," said Mrs Mindaoudou, before congratulating each medal recipient on behalf of herself and the United Nations Secretary-General.



The Special Representative explained that the Medal was in recognition of the United Nations gratitude for the commitment shown by the Togolese soldiers and their Government to the work of the international community all over the world.



"UNOCI has benefitted from Togo's experience and its generousity in providing the Organisation with its troops.....I have no doubt that the Togolese Contingent will continue to contribute to peace in Côte d'Ivoire with the same enthusiasm and devotion," said the Special Representative.



She asked the Togolese peacekeepers to keep in mind the mandate of the mission and translate it into their daily actions, in following the code of conduct of peacekeepers and respecting the culture, rules, regulations and laws of Côte d'Ivoire, not only in the spirit but also to the letter. It should be noted that the Togolese contingent has been deployed in Côte d'Ivoire since 2002 and is contributing to the return and consolidation of peace in the country.