UN Honors Fallen Moroccan Peacekeepers
On the occasion of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers in 2026, Ambassador Omar Hilale participated in a poignant ceremony where UN Secretary-General António Guterres paid tribute to three brave Moroccan peacekeepers who tragically lost their lives while serving in UN missions. This annual event highlights the sacrifices made by both civilian and military personnel in the pursuit of global peace.
During the ceremony, Guterres presented the esteemed Dag Hammarskjöld Medal posthumously to the fallen Moroccan heroes, a testament to their unwavering commitment to peacekeeping efforts around the world. The medal was accepted by Omar Hilale, Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, who was joined by Colonel Najim Assid, the military adviser to Morocco’s UN mission. This recognition underscores Morocco’s significant contributions to international peacekeeping, illustrating the dedication of its armed forces to uphold the values of the United Nations.
A Commitment to Peacekeeping
Among those honored, two of the peacekeepers had served with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), while the third was deployed with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). Hilale expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and the broader UN peacekeeping community, acknowledging their ultimate sacrifice in the name of peace.
Morocco stands as one of the leading contributors to UN peacekeeping operations, with 1,714 Moroccan peacekeepers currently engaged in missions across MONUSCO and MINUSCA. The ceremony also recognized nearly 4,500 peacekeepers who have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag since the inception of peacekeeping missions in 1948. Notably, 59 military, police, and civilian peacekeepers were honored for their sacrifices made in the past year alone.
In his address, Guterres highlighted the heroism of peacekeepers from 33 nations, describing them as “the best of humanity”, exemplifying the courage and commitment required to protect vulnerable populations in some of the world’s most challenging situations. He emphasized that UN peacekeepers are not just soldiers but symbols of hope, striving to safeguard peace and stability in regions afflicted by conflict.
The International Day of UN Peacekeepers, established by the UN General Assembly in 2002, serves as an annual reminder of the critical role that peacekeepers play globally and honors those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of peace.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
