S. Africa commemorates UN Peacekeepers Day

Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-30 02:53:38|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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BLOEMFONTEIN, May 29 (Xinhua) -- South Africa on Wednesday joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers by paying homage to those who died while maintaining peace and security in different parts of the world.

Fifty-five South African soldiers lost their lives between 2003 and 2017 in various countries while on UN peace keeping duties.

The chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) General Solly Shoke said those who sacrificed themselves while protecting the continent died with honor.

"They answered the call to help bring peace to troubled regions of our continent," he said, "they understood perfectly well that South Africa can never be stable ... if the continent of Africa is gripped by wars and rife instability."

"Their sacrifice brought hope to nations on the grip of civil wars across our continent and as a country and the SANDF in particular, we shall always remember them, for they lived selfless lives - as heroes and heroines - and lived for a purpose to free their brothers and sisters from the shackles and horrors of war," Shoke added.

The general called on the soldiers to continue fighting until there is international peace and security under the auspices of the African Union (AU) or UN.

Resident Coordinator of the UN and Resident Representative of the UNDP in South Africa Nardos Bekele-Thomas said the country is doing well in peacekeeping duties.

She said South Africa have 1,190 soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan and South Sudan. It is the 11th biggest army contingent in Africa and 17th in the world on the peacekeeping mission.

Responding to a question from Xinhua, she pointed out that China is a critical player in the peacekeeping.

Bekel-Thomas said, "China is a member of the UN in a collective endeavor to bring peace into the world. China's contribution is highly appreciated."

The event was attended by the families of the late soldiers. Tears were shed during the laying of the wreath by the relatives of the fallen soldiers.

Nozuko Ngaleka, widow of the late soldier Vusumuzi Ngaleka who was killed in the Central Africa Republic, said they appreciate that the government remembers the job Ngaleka did.

She believed that the commemorations will make their children grow up proudly, remembering that their parents died defending their continent.

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