The last batch of 108 Nigerian police officers has been withdrawn
from the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) after five years of service.
from the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) after five years of service.
UNMIL said the remaining 108 Nigerian FPU officers, the last UNMIL
uniformed contingent remaining in Liberia, withdrew as part of the UN
mission’s termination.
uniformed contingent remaining in Liberia, withdrew as part of the UN
mission’s termination.
The batch of 200 Nigerian peacekeepers withdrew from Liberia in
February as part of the termination of the mission’s mandate, scheduled
on March 30, the mission said.
February as part of the termination of the mission’s mandate, scheduled
on March 30, the mission said.
“The Nigerian contingent has been deployed in Liberia since UNMIL was first established in 2003.
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| Nigerian police in Liberia |
Nigeria has been a main contributor of military and police to UNMIL.
“The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has been a steadfast partner to Liberia for the last 15 years.
“It has supported security and security sector reform, rule of law, efforts to disarm, human rights and sustainable peace.
“The Mission will complete its mandate on 30 March 2018.
“UNMIL was established in September 2003 with 16,475 uniformed
personnel to monitor a ceasefire agreement in Liberia, following the
conclusion of the Second Liberian Civil War”.
personnel to monitor a ceasefire agreement in Liberia, following the
conclusion of the Second Liberian Civil War”.
An official farewell ceremony was held in February in honour of the
last departing 689 uniformed personnel – 404 military and 285 police
personnel – who had served with the Mission.
last departing 689 uniformed personnel – 404 military and 285 police
personnel – who had served with the Mission.
This symbolised the end of UNMIL’s military and police operations in
Liberia, more than 14 years after UNMIL was deployed in compliance with
Security Council resolution 1509 (2003).
Liberia, more than 14 years after UNMIL was deployed in compliance with
Security Council resolution 1509 (2003).
Nigeria’s Maj.-Gen. Salihu Uba is the Force Commander and Head of
UNMIL’s Military component of men and women from various countries,
including Nigeria, Pakistan and Ukraine.
UNMIL’s Military component of men and women from various countries,
including Nigeria, Pakistan and Ukraine.
Uba was Commander of the Training and Doctrine Command of the
Nigerian Army before his appointment as the Force Commander for UNMIL by
the former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Jan. 9, 2015.
Nigerian Army before his appointment as the Force Commander for UNMIL by
the former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Jan. 9, 2015.
The Formed Police Unit composed of Nigerian and Chinese personnel and
since 2003, 61 contingents from various countries had served in Liberia,
UNMIL said.
since 2003, 61 contingents from various countries had served in Liberia,
UNMIL said.
According to Uba, the mission’s uniform component military and police
have taken greater stride towards strengthening peace and security,
rule of law, governance among others in Liberia.
have taken greater stride towards strengthening peace and security,
rule of law, governance among others in Liberia.
The Force Commander stated that it was not all roses particularly for
the military which had the highest fatalities of 138 personnel while
the police lost 21 persons.
the military which had the highest fatalities of 138 personnel while
the police lost 21 persons.
“As we are closing, the memory of those 159 persons and others in the Mission will continue to live in our minds.
“We will continue to pay special tribute to them and those who
contributed to peace and security in Liberia” the Major General said.
contributed to peace and security in Liberia” the Major General said.
The Force Commander, on behalf of the Police Commissioner Simon
Blatchly, expressed their profound appreciation to the uniformed
component of UNSMIL.
Blatchly, expressed their profound appreciation to the uniformed
component of UNSMIL.
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Farid Zarif,
had in his speech, stated that the farewell signified an important
benchmark in the history of the UN in West Africa.
had in his speech, stated that the farewell signified an important
benchmark in the history of the UN in West Africa.
“While my colleagues in uniform are writing the last pages of the
peacekeeping operations here, Liberians and their Leaders have started
writing the first pages of a brand new chapter in their history.”
peacekeeping operations here, Liberians and their Leaders have started
writing the first pages of a brand new chapter in their history.”
Liberian President George Weah commended UNMIL for its longstanding
support to peace and stability, saying the Liberian people will forever
remain grateful to them for their bravery and service.
support to peace and stability, saying the Liberian people will forever
remain grateful to them for their bravery and service.
Weah said: “Thank you for your hard work and sacrifice you have made
over the years to keep the peace and stability of our beloved mama
Liberia. As you leave us now, we will forever remember you”. (NAN)
over the years to keep the peace and stability of our beloved mama
Liberia. As you leave us now, we will forever remember you”. (NAN)
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