United Nations Peace Keepers Receive Medals
By Marian Samu

Friday, 27th May 2005: As the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) observed International Peacekeepers Day on Friday, 27th May, 2005, peacekeepers from seventeen countries around the world received medals for having spent ninety days of service in their operational areas without any blemish.

The President, Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ambassador Daudi Mwakawago presented the gallant men and women with medals. The ceremony which was held at the United Nations headquarters in Freetown was witnessed by government Ministers, members of the United Nations system in Sierra Leone, the Diplomatic Corps and government officials.

Giving his address at the ceremony, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Ambassador Daudi Mwakawago, explained that International Peacekeepers Day is a day set aside by the UN to honour and pay tribute to men and women who have served and continue to serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations. This day, he said, is a day to also remember the fallen heroes who lost their lives in the cause of peace.

Congratulating the officers who received the awards, Ambassador Daudi Mwakawago said the medal is a manifestation of their hard work and professionalism, and also an appreciation of the UN for their contribution to the maintenance of peace and security, particularly in Sierra Leone.

Ambassador Mwakawago stated that a lot has been achieved by UNAMSIL peacekeepers in the restoration and consolidation of peace and in bringing succour and hope to the people of Sierra Leone for a better tomorrow.

"UNAMSIL has weathered the storm throughout the years of being a guarantor of peace, to the current role of being on insurer. It is comforting to note that the country is at peace with itself and striving to make it sustainable", Ambassador Mwakawago said.

He, however, observed that inspite of their achievement so far, there is still a lot to be done. He advised the peacekeepers to be guided by their mandate and exit strategy and appealed to them to continue to ensure a smooth and efficient draw-down.
"…always remember, complacency is the worst enemy of any success", he warned.

The SRSG after reading the message of the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan,
thanked the government and people of Sierra Leone for their constant support and encouragement that made them do their work in a friendly atmosphere.

In his address the President, Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, paid tribute to all those who came to Sierra Leone and could not go back in the pursuance of peace for our country. This, he said, was a very great sacrifice for which Sierra Leoneans are very grateful.

He said that peacekeeping embodies the ideals of the United Nations. He cited some developed nations who retreat after the process started, like in the case of Somalia when the United States peacekeepers abandoned the mission and allowed the conflict to spread to other areas.

President Kabbah, however, questioned the fragmentation of peacekeeping operations from the sub-regional point of view and asked the academics and policy makers to look at it again and see whether it could be beneficial for small countries or not.

The President commended the peacekeepers for the way they carried themselves in the exercise of their duties and especially their personal contribution to the socio-economic development of Sierra Leone in the areas of roads, schools, construction of markets and hospitals. He called on the Sierra Leone Armed Forces to emulate the peacekeepers even if the activities are modified into joint operations between the officers and government.

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