The event was to mark the International Day of Peace (September 21).
At the event, UNISFA Force Commander Lieutenant General Robert Yaw Affram highlighted the significance of the International Day of Peace, a U.N.-recognized annual observance. He confirmed that September 21 is not only a day of commemoration, but also a day to reaffirm the commitment to peacekeeping. The Force Commander stressed that today’s peace parade by UNISFA contingents stands as vivid testimony to unity and determination in building a peaceful world.”
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UNISFA leadership, local authorities, and representatives of the mission’s agencies join the peace parade on the International Day of Peace. |
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Cutting a cake to mark the International Day of Peace |
On behalf of the local authority, Chief Administrator of the Abyei Special Administrative Area Charles Abyei Jok expressed deep appreciation for the presence and tireless efforts of U.N. peacekeeping forces in infrastructure development, contributing to greater stability for local people. “This event raises our awareness of peace and gives us hope for a brighter future where our children can grow up in safety,” he said.
For members of Vietnam’s Engineering Company Rotation 3, participating in such a peace parade on a meaningful occasion was a great honor and a profound experience.
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Participants in the parade include UNISFA leadership, local authorities, and forces from troop-contributing countries at UNISFA. |
“Wearing the blue-beret and marching alongside international colleagues on this important day makes us extremely proud. We understand that our daily work, from road clearance, bridge construction, schoolyard leveling, to provision of health examination and treatment and medicine for local people, are small bricks contributing to the U.N.’s goal of a world free from war and violence,” emotionally said non-commissioned Major Luu Quang Thach from the Protection Platoon of the Company.
For his part, Major Cao Van Duoc, a technical assistant to the Company, emphasized that they felt the sacred meaning of contributing to peacekeeping and assisting the people of Abyei. “This is not only a mission, but also the responsibility of a peace-loving nation like Vietnam,” Duoc said.
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Vietnamese engineers at the event |
The peace parade concluded successfully, once again affirming the active role and strong sense of responsibility of peacekeeping forces from various countries worldwide, including Vietnam, in the shared effort for a world of peace and prosperity.
Reported by Le Giang (from Abyei)
Translated by Mai Huong