Captain Negasa in Bor has no regrets: “Every challenge is worthwhile” [1]
JONGLEI- Captain Chimdesa Negasa from Ethiopia has been around the block. His experience and skills have earned him leadership positions and the respect of colleagues he has worked with.
Eleven years ago, his peacekeeping journey began in Abyei, a disputed area on the border between Sudan and South Sudan. It proved to be a near-addictive adventure.
“The time I spent there changed me,” he recalls. “The gratitude of the people and the bonds we formed with host communities made every challenge worthwhile.”
And that, a wish to create opportunities to live extraordinary moments in places rarely visited by non-uniformed people, inspired Captain Negasa to become a military man in the first place.
As a Communications Officer in Abyei, he grabbed the chance to share these riches with thousands of others, through United Nations online platforms and media outlets back home in Ethiopia.
“I have always been moved by the plight of those who cannot defend themselves - women, children, the elderly, the disabled and unarmed civilians – and when you wear this uniform your duty is to dedicate yourself to their wellbeing. We are a good fit.”
Captain Negasa’s duties are many and varied. From briefing his troops on local customs and hosting trainings to liaising with local authorities and community leaders to identify needs and, if and when possible, deliver solutions.
“The greatest challenge is witnessing the daily struggles of the South Sudanese people. Many have become friends and seeing them suffer is tough.”
At times, Captain Negasa does allow himself to think a bit about his own welfare as well. Those are the moments when he misses his family. Sports, reading and cooking are some of his preferred pastimes to sooth the pain caused also by separation one has chosen, but the belief that his sacrifices will make a difference also helps.
“We are here to accomplish an important task and hopefully, we can take small steps towards peace in South Sudan.”
In the meantime, his contingent is busy conducting patrols and other activities meant to protect civilians from harm. Maintaining roads – lifelines for communities relying on humanitarian aid – is another part of their job, as is documenting and reporting any abuses of human rights they observe.
On the particular day we talked to him, Captain Chimdesa Negasa and 642 of his Ethiopian colleagues, including 71 women, received a token of appreciation for their hard work: UN medals, being pinned to their chests by Lieutenant General Mohan Subramanian, the UNMISS Force Commander, who also spoke to the deserving medalists.
“Over time and around the world, 42 Ethiopian UN peacekeepers have died in the pursuit of peace, with nine of them having passed away here, in South Sudan. I want you to honour their sacrifices and promise that their memories will live on.”