The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), led by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Aïchatou Mindaoudou, on Thursday, 5 February 2015, paid tribute to three members of the Mission's Moroccan Contingent who died on 27 January 2015.



Adjutant Kamal Tahiri, Corporals El Hachmi Khalad and Abdelilah El Baghazaoui lost their lives in a road accident while on escort mission near Guiglo in western Côte d'Ivoire, some 520 km from Abidjan.



During the funeral ceremony, the Commander of the Moroccan Contingent, Colonel-Major Hassan Nouh, recalled the consideration and affection towards the three men, who since the pre-deployment phase in Morocco and up until their tragic deaths, had distinguished themselves by their serious devotion to their work. He said that Adjutant Kamal Tahiri was a disciplined, hardworking and sympathetic soldier who was committed to peace and tolerance. Corporals El Hachmi Khalad and Abdelilah El Baghazaoui distinguished themselves by their vivacity and motivation. They were alwaysd ready to volunteer whenever there was an assistance mission or support to local people. According to Colonel-Major Hassan Nouh, they were models of valliance with human qualities and exceptionally professional. « I would like them to know that their tragic deaths have deeply affected us but despite the pain we feel, we remain determined to continue our mandate which is to contribute to re-establishing peace and security in this country, the reason for which they were here and we will never forget them," said Colonel-Major Hassan Nouh. He then presented his condolences to the families of the deceased.



The Special Representative then laid wreaths on the coffins of the dead soldiers. The same was done by UNOCI Force Commander, General Hafiz Masroor Ahmed.



At the end of the guard of honour in memory of the dead soldiers, Mrs Mindaoudou and the officials who attended the ceremony then presented their condolences to members of the Moroccan Contingent.



The ceremony was attended by the Moroccan Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, His Excellency Mustapha Jebari, the Ivorian Minister delegated to the Ministry of Defence, Paul Koffi Koffi and the Chief of Staff of the Forces Républicaines de Côte d'Ivoire (FRCI), General Soumaïla Bakayoko.