Foreign
By Kennedy Nnamani
ANTONY J. Blinken, the U.S secretary of State has disclosed that about 135 personnel in the United Nations, UN, peacekeeping mission have lost their lives last year alone.
He made this revelation last week in a press statement to mark the International Day of UN peacekeepers.
According to him, there are nearly 90,000 personnel of which more than 4,000 have died serving the cause of peace, reconciliation, and durable political solutions since the first mission in 1948.
While paying tribute to the fallen personnel, the U.S secretary underlined the importance of expressing gratitude to the UN peacekeepers, who often sacrifice their lives for the cause of peace.
“UN peacekeeping is one of the most effective international tools for promoting peace and security and protecting the world’s most vulnerable populations,” he said.
Blinken also assured that the United States is supporting the UN peacekeeping and is dedicated to promoting greater safety, security, performance, conduct, and accountability.
He said that “peacekeeping is a shared responsibility that benefits all nations and peoples, and the United States will continue to be its leading supporter and proponent”
The International Day of UN Peacekeepers is marked every May 29 to honour the courage, service, and sacrifice of the UN’s “blue helmets.”
Meanwhile, U.S Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command, has concluded a two-day visit to Angola to meet with João Lourenço, Angolan President and other senior government officials, including senior leaders from the Angolan Ministry of Defense and Ministry of State.
The visit, which was aimed at strengthening military and security cooperation between the two countries focused on how the duo nations could partner together on shared issues, including maritime security, terrorism, military professionalism, and the integration of peacekeeping capabilities
“Our relationship with the Armed Forces of Angola is still maturing but our conversations have sharpened our focus on our mutual security concerns,” he said.
Townsend, who was making his first visit to Angola was accompanied by Tulinabo Mushingi, U.S. Ambassador to Angola, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, U.S. Africa Command’s Senior Enlisted Leader.
KN
Tags: ANTONY J. Blinken Gen. Stephen Townsend João Lourenço Kennedy Nnamani Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher
