On 4 April 2014, 488 officers, junior officers, and soldiers from the 14th Senegalese battalion (SENBATT) of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) based in Yamoussoukro, were decorated with the United Nations Medal by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou. The ceremony coincided with the commemoration of the 54th independence anniversary of the Republic of Senegal. The Special Representative was accompanied by the Senegalese Ambassador to the Côte d'Ivoire, Abdou Lakhat Sourang, the Force Commander, Mohamed Iqbal Asi and Chief of the United Nations Police Vianey Nshimiyimana.



The Prefect of Region of Bélier and the District of Yamoussoukro, Ivorian military and administrative authorities, traditional chiefs and a number guests took part in the double ceremony.



Mrs Mindaoudou praised the medal recipients, the « JAMBAAR » of the Senegalese contingent, who, five months after their deployment in Yamoussoukro, continue to show their commitment and professionalism through their military operation and civilian-military actions.



« The JAMBAAR is exemplary, he symbolises commitment, he symbolises strength, and in this particular instance, he symbolises a force for peace », declared the Special Representative. Recalling the significance of the event, the head of UNOCI said that the day was a day of prestige and honour for all the Senegalese peacekeepers and congratulated them on behalf of the United Nations Secretary-General. « It is a celebration of your continued efforts and your contribution as a United Nations peacekeeping force in Côte d'Ivoire ».



She paid homage to the Senegalese army and its people for their commitment and willingness to serve the international community.

In this regard, Mrs Mindaoudou welcomed the presence of the Senegalese Ambassador at the United Nations medal parade ceremony for the Senegalese contingent, which she said was an indication of the interest which Senegal has in peacekeeping mission all over the world in general and in Africa in particular.



She stressed the devotion and high sense of duty of the Senegalese contingent, qui, as well as carrying out its traditional missions, plays the role of a "rapid reaction force" within the UN force in Côte d'Ivoire. The head of UNOCI explained that this task which was given to the contingent by the United Nations Peacekeeping Department, is evidence of the renewed confidence that the UN has in the JAMBAAR whose experience and know-how is well known.



Mrs Mindaoudou also expressed UNOCI's satisfaction with the work of the contingent which has carried out its mission of protection of the mission's leadership brilliantly following the repatriation of the Security Sub-Group which was initially composed of gendarmes. « Their daily efforts will forever remain engraved in the memory of the Ivorian people and UNOCI authorities," said the Special Representative.



She urged members of the contingent to rigorously observe the peacekeeper code of conduct keeping always in mind the culture, laws and regulations of Côte d'Ivoire and observing to the letter.



Finally, the Special Representative thanked and expressed her gratitude to Ivorians for their support to the United Nations and UNOCI. She then wished the people and Government of Senegal happy independence day.



For his part, the Senegalese Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, Abdou Lakhat Sourang read out the message of the Senegalese President Macky Sall addressed to the medal recipients. « It has to be said that today's ceremony will have particular significance because it is an opportunity to aspire to the fundamental values of the JAMBAAR that you are, to better defend the universal notions linked to human rights promoted by the United Nations », wrote President Sall. Recognising the challenges are great, the Senegalese head of state said that the JAMBAAR had the capacity to overcome them thanks to their technical aptitude. He congratulated them on the double celebration and thanked UNOCI and the Ivorian authorities for the confidence and support they had shown to SENBATT.



Earlier, the Commander of SENBATT14, Colonel Meïssa Sarr, outlined the work of the Senegalese troops who participate in the defence of noble causes by deploying its military men in different areas all over the world in response to requests from the United Nations. He also described the duties of the Senegalese contingent which includes providing security to the population and their property and humanitarian actions. Colonel Sarr also spoken about the free medical consultations, distribution of potable water carried out by his men. They have also built latrines and the building of a school canteen in school in Assouakro, constituted one of the main highlights of their humanitarian actions.



The ceremony ended with a military parade, martial arts demonstrations, as well as songs and dance.