Cambodia has dispatched 355 new peacekeepers, including 86 women, to UN operations in South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Lebanon. This deployment replaces previous teams whose missions have concluded. The peacekeepers will focus on critical areas such as mine clearance and engineering tasks, reinforcing Cambodia’s status as a significant contributor to UN peacekeeping efforts since 2006.
Phnom Penh announced on February 5 that Cambodia has dispatched 355 peacekeepers, including 86 women, to participate in United Nations peacekeeping missions in South Sudan, the Central African Republic (CAR), and Lebanon. This new deployment will succeed previous contingents whose one-year deployment had concluded, according to Major General Sem Ratana, the acting Director-General of the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces.
The newly deployed personnel will fulfill critical roles: 73 military police at the UN Mission in South Sudan, 98 explosive ordnance disposal experts in the CAR, and 184 multi-role engineering staff in Lebanon. At the send-off ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Tea Seiha emphasized the significance of these peacekeepers’ missions, which will include mine clearance, explosive ordnance disposal, and humanitarian efforts.
Since beginning its participation in UN peacekeeping operations in 2006, Cambodia has dispatched a total of 9,826 peacekeepers to various missions across ten countries, with 857 of them being women. Currently, Cambodian peacekeepers are engaged in operations in four locations: South Sudan, Lebanon, the CAR, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The commendations from UN resident coordinators reflect the courage and dedication of Cambodian peacekeepers. Once reliant on international support during its tumultuous past, Cambodia has emerged as a prominent contributor of blue helmets within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Through the diligent efforts of UN mine-action teams, including Cambodian deminers, numerous hazardous areas have been rendered safe, enabling the establishment of essential facilities such as schools, hospitals, and farms in regions previously devastated by conflict.
Cambodia has a historic relationship with UN peacekeeping missions, having first deployed troops in 2006. The country has since developed from a beneficiary of peacekeeping support to becoming one of the largest contributors within the ASEAN region. Major General Sem Ratana’s comments reveal a strategic commitment to international peace and security, while the involvement of Cambodian forces highlights their role in global efforts to stabilize war-torn regions.
The deployment of 355 Cambodian peacekeepers to various UN missions represents a significant step in the country’s commitment to international peace and security. The roles these forces will undertake are vital for fostering stability and supporting humanitarian operations. Cambodia’s transformation from a beneficiary of peacekeeping support to a leading contributor underscores its evolving international position and dedication to global peace initiatives.
Original Source: pune.news
