UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has paid tribute to three Moroccan peacekeepers who lost their lives in the line of duty under the UN flag. Two of the Moroccan fallen Blue Helmets were serving in the UN Mission deployed in Central African Republic, while the third was serving within UN Mission stationed in DR Congo.
During a solemn ceremony held lately in New York in presence of senior officials and diplomats, the UN Chief posthumously awarded the “Dag Hammarskjöld Medal” to the Moroccan fallen heroes along with several other UN Blue Helmets from 33 nations. Their photos were displayed on a screen and their names read out as country representatives received the boxed medals, the highest tribute to their service and sacrifice.
On behalf of the bereaved families, Moroccan ambassador to the UN Omar Hilale, who was accompanied by military adviser Col.Najim Assid, received the posthumous medal granted to the three UN peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives for peace.
For nearly 80 years, United Nations peacekeepers have delivered tangible change to communities across the globe. From Liberia and Namibia to Cambodia, their presence has been life-saving and transformative in some of the most volatile political and security contexts, guiding countries from conflict towards sustainable peace.
To date, more than 4,500 UN peacekeepers lost their lives in the line of duty. “We honor peacekeepers past and present and reaffirm our shared responsibility to respect and strengthen their work”, said Mr. Guterres.
