President: Giampaolo Pioli   |   Editor in Chief: Stefano Vaccara

  • Login
VNY La Voce di New York

The First Italian English Digital Daily Newspaper in the US

  • English Edition
  • Letters
  • New York
  • U.N.
  • News
  • People
  • Arts
  • Lifestyles
  • Food & Wine
  • Travel
  • Italian Edition
No Result
View All Result
VNY
  • English Edition
  • Letters
  • New York
  • U.N.
  • News
  • People
  • Arts
  • Lifestyles
  • Food & Wine
  • Travel
  • Italian Edition
No Result
View All Result
VNY La Voce di New York
No Result
View All Result
in
U.N.
May 29, 2018
in
U.N.
May 29, 2018
0

Guterres Honors Peacekeeper Sacrifices in Mali, the Most Deadly U.N. Mission Area

The Secretary-General honored the Blue Helmets at the MINUSMA mission site, stating they are the "foremost symbol of the United Nations itself."

Valentina Zavala-ArbelaezbyValentina Zavala-Arbelaez
Guterres Honors Peacekeeper Sacrifices in Mali, the Most Deadly U.N. Mission Area

Secretary-General António Guterres attends a ceremony in Bamako, Mali, honoring all fallen peacekeepers on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. (MINUSMA/Olivier Salgado)

Time: 2 mins read

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres visited Mali today to honor the 70th anniversary of U.N. peacekeeping. “As peacekeepers, you are the foremost symbol of the United Nations itself,” expressed Guterres, honoring the peacekeepers for their service and sacrifices.

Mali is currently home of the U.N. peacekeeping mission MINUSMA, the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali. This operation started in 2013 after separatist rebels conducted a violent insurrection to try to take control of northern Mali. Subsequently, the operation has become the deadliest U.N. peacekeeping mission to date.

This mission’s purpose is to support national authorities while providing protection for civilians in conflict. After the attempted coup in 2013, Mali has been facing increased security concerns in its northern and central regions.

In March, the Secretary-General addressed the Security-Council with concerns for Blue Helmet safety during a debate on improving U.N. peacekeeping operations. Guterres contended that the demands for peacekeepers are unrealistic, as they “vulnerable” and are “targeted for attack.” Guterres remarked: “UN peacekeepers are often under-equipped, under-prepared and unready [and] there are gaps in command and control, in culture, in equipment and in training.”

Special Representative for the Secretary-General and head of MINUSMA Mahamet Saleh Annadif acknowledged the steps taken to repair these issues today: “By increasing training, by increasing patrols, by taking precautions to inspect roads before trucks drive through them, by taking advantage of the arrival of combat convoy contingents, we have really made significant progress towards diminishing casualties.”

Individuals interviewed by UN News from Mali commended the peacekeepers for their efforts. Mamoutou Kané, a local taxi driver, commented that the routine inspections by peacekeepers are “very good, [the inspections] allow us to work freely.” Another local interviewed, Boubacar Traoré, observed that the patrols conducted by peacekeepers are “reassuring for the population. [People from Mali] want it to last.”

However, many who have experienced peacekeeper occupation cannot relate to these sentiments. Countless civilians from different operations worldwide have accused peacekeepers of sexual exploitation and assault. Allegations range from Burundi peacekeepers trading sex with 14 year old girls for $4 to 134 Sri Lanken troops accused of multiple sexual assaults against Haitian women and girls between 2004 and 2007.

Today Guterres stated: “We also are committed to reinforcing the important role our forces must play in promoting human rights and addressing sexual exploitation and abuse,” falling in line with his proposed “zero tolerance policy.” The policy consists of appointing a Victims’ Rights Advocate and establishing a Circle of Leadership consisting of Heads of States who will hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. Only time will tell if the Secretary-General’s policy changes will end the U.N.’s culture of permitted abuse.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Valentina Zavala-Arbelaez

Valentina Zavala-Arbelaez

DELLO STESSO AUTORE

As Monsoon Season Comes, Will the U.N. Be On Time for the Rohingya?

As Monsoon Season Comes, Will the U.N. Be On Time for the Rohingya?

byValentina Zavala-Arbelaez
Migrant Deaths in Mediterranean Continue Regardless of Global Compact

Migrant Deaths in Mediterranean Continue Regardless of Global Compact

byValentina Zavala-Arbelaez

A PROPOSITO DI...

Tags: Antonio GuterresMaliMINUSMApeacekeeperssexual abuse
Previous Post

LaPalombara in Defense of Mattarella: the Majority of Italian Electors Are Not Fools

Next Post

Avanti Mafie! Perché le mafie hanno vinto, e cosa possiamo fare per sconfiggerle

Discussion about this post

DELLO STESSO AUTORE

UN Shows New Hope for Peace to Africa after Eritrean-Ethiopian Agreement

UN Shows New Hope for Peace to Africa after Eritrean-Ethiopian Agreement

byValentina Zavala-Arbelaez
Children in Armed Conflict: Agreement on UN Resolution Begs for Action

Children in Armed Conflict: Agreement on UN Resolution Begs for Action

byValentina Zavala-Arbelaez

Latest News

I miliardari del Calcio USA puntano ai Mondiali 2026

I miliardari del Calcio USA puntano ai Mondiali 2026

byRosa Coppola
Arrestata in Costa Rica la “killer della bicicletta”

Arrestata in Costa Rica la “killer della bicicletta”

byMassimo Jaus

New York

Brooklyn: nella notte trovato il torso di una donna in un carrello della spesa

Spara a una madre davanti al suo neonato: esecuzione choc nell’Upper East Side

byLa Voce di New York
Paolo Cirio a New York racconta i criminali e la loro privacy rubata

Paolo Cirio a New York racconta i criminali e la loro privacy rubata

byMaria Teresa Zonca

Italiany

Con il falso Made in Italy gli Usa vogliono invadere il mercato europeo

Con il falso Made in Italy gli Usa vogliono invadere il mercato europeo

byLa Voce di New York
Lo staff di In Scena!

In Scena! Sipario sul festival del teatro italiano a New York che reagisce alla pandemia

byManuela Caracciolo
Next Post
Avanti Mafie! Perché le mafie hanno vinto, e cosa possiamo fare per sconfiggerle

Avanti Mafie! Perché le mafie hanno vinto, e cosa possiamo fare per sconfiggerle

La Voce di New York

President: Giampaolo Pioli   |   Editor in Chief: Stefano Vaccara

  • New York
    • Eventi
  • Onu
  • News
    • Primo Piano
    • Politica
    • Voto Estero
    • Economia
    • First Amendment
  • People
    • Expat
  • Arts
    • Arte e Design
    • Spettacolo
    • Musica
    • Libri
    • Lingua Italiana
  • Lifestyles
    • Fashion
    • Scienza e Salute
    • Sport
    • Religioni
  • Food & Wine
  • Travel
    • Italia
  • Mediterraneo
  • English
  • Search/Archive
  • About us
    • Editorial Staff
    • President
    • Administration
    • Advertising

VNY Media La Voce di New York © 2016 - 2022
Main Office: 230 Park Avenue, 21floor, New York, NY 10169 | Editorial Office/Redazione: UN Secretariat Building, International Press Corps S-301, New York, NY 10017

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • New York
  • Onu
  • News
    • Primo Piano
    • Politica
    • Economia
    • First Amendment
  • Arts
    • Arte e Design
    • Spettacolo
    • Musica
    • Libri
  • Lingua Italiana
  • Lifestyles
    • Fashion
    • Scienza e Salute
    • Sport
    • Religioni
  • Food & Wine
    • Cucina Italiana
  • Travel
    • Italia
  • English

© 2016/2022 VNY Media La Voce di New York

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In