Some 360 soldiers from the Benin Battalion (BENINBATT) of the United Nations Operation in n Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) received the United Nations Medal on 1 August 2013 at the end of their mission.



The soldiers were decorated by UNOCI Deputy Force Commander, General Talla Niang. The medal is a mark of the United Nations recognition of the professionalism of the Beninese soldiers' accomplishment of their mission and their commitment to the cause of peace in Côte d'Ivoire.



The BENINBATT Commander, Colonel Houenou Armand, said that the decoration of the contingent meant that it was the people of Benin who were being honoured. The United Nations Medal reminded the people of Benin of their duty to the people of Côte d'Ivoire and their commitment to the cause of peace in the world, he added.



It should be noted that the day of the medal parade ceremony had a particular significance for the Benin Contingent because it was the country's Independence Day anniversary, celebrated every year on 1 August.



It should also be recalled that the Benin Contingent was one of the first to arrive in the Mission in Côte d'Ivoire, in January 2003. BENINBATT consists of four companies, including one command and support company and three infantry companies. The battalion is in charge of collecting and safeguarding arms handed in armed groups in its area of responsibility.