UNAMID celebrated the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, on 29 May 2016, under the theme ”Honouring our Heroes”. The event took place in all UNAMID’s sectors in Darfur, including the Mission’s headquarters in El Fasher, North Darfur.

The date was also commemorated for the first time in UNAMID’s office in Khartoum, where the Joint Special Representative, Martin Uhomoibhi, presided the ceremony. Accompanied by the representatives of the African Union and Government of Sudan, he laid wreaths to honour the fallen heroes and read the Secretary-General’s statement. Members of diplomatic corps, Sudanese Security Forces, chairperson of the DIDC Implementation Committee, members of the civil society and the UN personnel were in attendance.

In the Mission’s headquarters in El Fasher, North Darfur, the celebrations were chaired by UNAMID’s Deputy Joint Special Representative (DJSR), Political Pillar, Mr. Kingsley Mamabolo. Also in attendance were the Force Commander, Lieutenant General Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, the Police Commissioner, Ms. Priscilla Makotose and the Deputy Wali (Governor) of North Darfur State, Mr. Mohamed Birama, along with officials from the Government of Sudan (GoS) as well as UNAMID personnel.

The ceremony included a military and police parade, lowering of the AU and UN flags, the observance of a minute of silence and a wreath-laying ceremony to honour peacekeepers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Cultural performances by a local group, Alkinein and the Rwandese contingent, and an exhibition reflecting the Mission’s activities across Darfur, were also part of the programme.

Delivering the UN Secretary-General’s message for the Day, the DJSR, Kingsley Mamabolo noted that the ‘Blue Helmets’, deployed across 16 peacekeeping operations around the world, have saved countless lives, advanced peace and inspired hope. “They manifest the best attributes of global solidarity, courageously serving in dangerous environments to provide security to some of the world’s most vulnerable” he said.

“On this International Day of UN Peacekeepers, we honour our heroes – the more than one million men and women who have served under the UN flag with pride, distinction and courage since the first deployment in 1948. And we pay our highest tribute to the more than 3,400 peacekeepers who have lost their lives while in service during that period,” he added.

The Deputy Wali (Governor) of North Darfur State, Mohamed Birama, expressed his appreciation for UNAMID’s support to the peace efforts and strengthening the social fabric in Darfur. “The continuation of those efforts will help reduce intertribal conflicts in Darfur,” he stated.

29 May is celebrated annually as the International Day of UN Peacekeepers to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication, and courage and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.