UN peacekeepers pay tribute to 4 BD soldiers
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali held a memorial ceremony on Tuesday for four fallen Bangladeshi peacekeepers who were killed in the line of duty on February 28 in the Mopti region of Mali.
Warrant Officer Abul Kalam Azad, Corporal Mohammad Akter Hossin and soldiers Mohammad Rayhan Ali and Jamal Uddin were killed when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device on the Boni-Douentza road. During the same attack four other peacekeepers were seriously injured, reports UNB.
The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) Mahamat Saleh Annadif and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission In Mali (MINUSMA) Force Commander General Jean-Paul Deconinck were present at the ceremony held at the MINUSMA Operational Base in Bamako.
"They left their families, loved ones and communities, enthusiastic to contribute to peace and stability. Like their beloved brothers-in-arms of the other contingents, they too died because they wore the uniform of the United Nations. But let there be no mistake; they died as heroes of peace," Annadif told the UN staff gathered at the ceremony.
Recalling the unique security context in which MINUSMA is executing its mandate, the MINUSMA head urged his colleagues to continue to remain stronger than ever, united and committed to the implementation of mandate: that of the stabilisation and restoration of peace in Mali.
General Deconinck said that the enemy's objective is to hinder any initiative that helps Mali out of this crisis. It is aimed at all friends of peace, not only MINUSMA but also the Malian Armed Forces, international partners and the people.
Earlier in the week, the two senior officials visited the Bangladeshi base in Gao to express in person their condolences to the fallen peacekeepers colleagues and to assure them of their full support, said a press release.
