BAMAKO, May 14 (ChinaMil) -- Force Commander of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) Major General Jean-Paul Deconinck awarded on Saturday the Certificate of Appreciation to the 5th Chinese peacekeeping guard detachment to Mali to commend Chinese peacekeepers’ contributions to promoting the peace process in Mali.
The prize-awarding ceremony was held at the MINUSMA Headquarters in Bamako, capital of Mali.
The Certificate of Appreciation is the highest honor given by the UN to peacekeeping forces and peacekeepers serving in different peacekeeping mission areas.
Deconinck said that the Chinese peacekeeping guards, with their rigorous discipline, excellent quality and professional defense capabilities, are able to effectively respond to emergencies and ensure the absolute safety of the UN camps.
The Chinese peacekeeping guards respect local customs and observe local laws and regulations in performing armed patrols, guard duties and other operational tasks, winning widespread praise of the local people and demonstrating a good sense of military-civil cooperation, said Deconinck in the order of commendation.
Since deployed to the mission area in Gao in May last year, against the background of the deteriorating security situations, increasingly complex political environment and extremely harsh natural conditions, the 5th Chinese peacekeeping guard detachment has been performing security guard missions at the headquarters of the Sector East of the MINUSMA and the UN peacekeeping forces' camp and other emergency support tasks, The detachment is regarded by MINUSMA as the "most professional force", and the 170 peacekeepers of the detachment have all been awarded the UN Peace Medal of Honor.
