Pak ‘Blue Helmets’ in DR Congo set to leave

UNITED NATIONS:

Pakistani peacekeepers, who formed the bulk of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are preparing to leave the Central African country after 20 years of dedicated service, a UN spokesperson said Thursday.

Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told the regular noon briefing at the UN Headquarters in New York that the planned departure of the Pakistani peacekeepers, deployed in DRC’s South Kivu province, was part of the disengagement plan of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), initiated at the beginning of the year.

Since 2003 when they were first deployed, Dujarric said, more than 100,000 Pakistani peacekeepers had served in South Kivu, including 31 who had died in the line of duty. For Pakistan that’s the greatest number of Blue Helmets they have lost in the 46 Peacekeeping missions in the 29 countries where they have been deployed, it was pointed out.

“I pay tribute to the immense contribution the troops from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have made to advancing peace and security in South Kivu,” MONUSCO head said.

“I honour the 31 Blue Helmets who have paid the ultimate price – over the years, their sacrifice, professionalism, and commitment have helped protect millions of people in DRC.”