Jordanian peacekeepers in Côte d’Ivoire decorated with UN medal

AMMAN — Jordanian peacekeepers in Côte d’Ivoire were honoured by the UN earlier this week in recognition of their efforts to safeguard peace in the west African country, according to a UN statement released on Thursday.

“On behalf of the United Nations secretary general, it gives me great pleasure to present you with this United Nations Medal in recognition of your remarkable contribution to the peace process in Côte d’Ivoire,” said Aïchatou Mindaoudou, the special representative of the UN secretary general for Côte d’Ivoire and head of the UN Operation in the country (UNOCI). 

“You are an illustration of the perfect model recommended by the United Nations,” Mindaoudou added at a medal parade ceremony for 849 peacekeepers of the Jordanian Contingent (JORBATT 15) on Tuesday in Abidjan, according to the statement.

The head of UNOCI urged them to accomplish the UN Security Council mandate through their professionalism and devotion to duty. 

“I am more than confident that you will continue to work energetically for the consolidation of peace and security in Côte d’Ivoire,” she added.

The special representative said the medal was in recognition of the Jordanian peacekeepers’ devotion, professionalism and contribution to the realisation of peace all over the world.

“I would like to congratulate the recipients and take the opportunity to express my gratitude to the Jordanian contingent,” the statement quoted Mindaoudou as saying.

“The United Nations attaches great importance to the effort made by those who wear the uniform of peacekeepers for the restoration of peace and security in the world,” she added. 

She said the aim of the award is to motivate Jordanian peacekeepers to continue to work tirelessly to accomplish the “noble objectives of the United Nations which are peace and security”.

Mindaoudou said the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) significantly contribute to peacekeeping operations all over the world. 

“Their participation in peacekeeping started in 1989 in Angola. Today, they serve in Liberia, the Democratic Republic of  Congo,  Haïti, Darfour and South Sudan,” she said. 

“JORBATT and the Jordanian Company arrived in 2006 and 2005 respectively. Since then, they have shown their commitment to peace by providing medical support and assistance to the population during the electoral period.”

For his part, Brig. Gen. Taha Al Aqeel, UNOCI’s commander of the Abidjan Sector, said his contingent was honoured to participate in peacekeeping missions under the auspices of the United Nations. 

“This organisation is making considerable effort to ensure that people live in peace throughout the world. The Jordanian army will not hesitate to provide help and protection to the weak,” the statement quoted him as saying.

Since their deployment in Côte d’Ivoire more than seven years ago, Jordanian peacekeeping contingents have been working to assist local residents by offering services and humanitarian aid, according to JAF.

Between 1989 and January 2013, Jordan participated in 19 peacekeeping or monitoring missions involving more than 100,000 soldiers and commissioned and non-commissioned officers.

Their missions entail humanitarian assistance and local community development.