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Secretary-General's remarks at the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage, Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award and Dag Hammerskjöld Medal Ceremony [bilingual, as delivered; scroll down for all-English]

26 May 2022

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Moments ago, I laid a wreath at the Peacekeepers Memorial to pay homage to the more than 4,200 peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives while serving under the UN flag. 

Please join me in a moment of silence in their memory.   
  
Thank you. 

This year’s Dag Hammarskjöld medal ceremony honours the 117 women and men who lost their lives in 2021 serving as peacekeepers.

Our fallen colleagues came from 42 different countries and diverse backgrounds.

But they were united by a common cause: peace. 

I extend my deepest condolences to their families.

They will remain forever in our hearts.  
Dear friends,

The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is an opportunity to honour the women and men on the front lines advancing peace around the world.    

We also pay tribute to the families who support their loved ones as they carry out these vital, difficult and dangerous missions, far from home. 

Our peacekeepers face great and growing challenges.

Increasing political tensions.

Deteriorating security situations.

Ever-more complex threats, from terrorist attacks to organized crime to Improvised Explosive Devices.

And a surge in mis- and disinformation that spreads hatred and fuels violence.

Despite these risks, our peacekeepers press on.

They work tirelessly in the toughest of conditions. 

They adapt to rapidly evolving situations on the ground.

And they constantly innovate to protect the most vulnerable – while representing our diverse global community.

They advance the greatest mission of all — peace.

I am so proud of their work.  

Tragically, sometimes, our peacekeepers do not come home.

L’un de nos collègues, le capitaine Abdelrazakh Hamit Bahar, a fait le sacrifice ultime.

Il avait été déployé avec le contingent militaire tchadien dans le cadre de notre mission de maintien de la paix au Mali.

Lui et d’autres casques bleus étaient en poste dans un camp reculé, lorsqu’ils ont été pris pour cible.

Des tirs d’artillerie lourde, y compris des roquettes, se sont abattus sur leur camp pendant cette lâche attaque.

La situation allant en se détériorant, le capitaine Abdelrazakh et son chef de corps ont contre-attaqué avec bravoure pour protéger leurs équipes.

Alors qu’il s’employait à sécuriser le périmètre, le capitaine Abdelrazakh a remarqué que des assaillants entraient dans une maison près de la base.

Déterminé à les empêcher de faire plus de mal, il a entrepris, seul, d’évacuer et de sécuriser la maison.

C’est alors que le capitaine Abdelrazakh a été abattu.

Trois autres Casques bleus tchadiens ont malheureusement aussi trouvé la mort, et 34 ont été blessés.

Mais, sans le courage du capitaine Abdelrazakh, bien d’autres personnes auraient perdu la vie ce jour-là.

C’est là un véritable exemple de don de soi.

Je suis fier d’honorer aujourd’hui, à titre posthume, le capitaine Abdelrazakh Hamit Bahar en lui remettant la médaille Capitaine Mbaye Diagne pour acte de courage exceptionnel.

Comme vous le savez, cette médaille porte le nom d’un Casque bleu sénégalais qui a sacrifié sa vie au Rwanda en 1994 pour sauver d’innombrables personnes.
 
Depuis sa création par le Conseil de sécurité en 2014, cette médaille n’a été décernée qu’une seule fois.

Le capitaine Abdelrazakh Hamit Bahar n’avait que 34 ans.

Mais ses actes ont révélé une humanité et une bravoure extraordinaires que nous n’oublierons jamais.

Sa famille est avec nous aujourd’hui et nous lui en sommes profondément reconnaissants.

Sachez que votre fils et frère bien-aimé restera à jamais dans notre mémoire.

Il est une source d’inspiration pour la famille des Nations Unies, aussi bien chez lui, au Tchad, que dans le reste du monde.

Je tiens également à remercier le Gouvernement tchadien pour sa contribution à la MINUSMA.

Le pays a payé un lourd tribut – 74 de ses Casques bleus ayant donné leur vie à la cause de la paix au fil des années.

I am proud to have also awarded a Letter of Commendation to Lieutenant-Colonel Chahata Ali Mahamat, who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Captain Abdelrazakh that day and helped evacuate 16 wounded colleagues.  

I have also awarded commendation letters to Sergeant Cristofer Jose Citan Ramos of Guatemala, serving with MONUSCO; and Captain Mohammad Mahatab Uddin of Bangladesh, serving with UNMISS.

They both demonstrated tremendous courage in carrying out their work and I congratulate them.

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Each year, we also recognize the outstanding contribution of an individual military peacekeeper who goes above and beyond the call of duty to promote the principles of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
 
Today, I am proud to present the Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award to Major Winnet Zharare of Zimbabwe. 

Major Zharare recently completed her service as a military observer with the UN Mission in South Sudan. 

While deployed in Bentiu, she saw firsthand the enormous toll of armed conflict on entire communities.

She witnessed how women were even more vulnerable to violence, sexual assault, displacement, and hunger.

She observed how, like in so many parts of the world, women and girls were excluded from decisions about their daily lives, as well as political and peace processes.

And she took action. 

For years, Major Zharare had strongly advocated for gender equality and the recognition of women as decision-makers and leaders – she called for parity within her own ranks, and among local military forces and host communities.

In South Sudan, her diligence and diplomatic skills quickly gained the trust of local military commanders who sought her advice on women’s rights and protection.

Her approach helped UNMISS strengthen bonds with local communities and deliver on its mandate.

Excellencies,
Dear friends,

Women peacekeepers make a profound difference.

They help the United Nations do its job more inclusively and effectively.

They save and change lives.

That is why we are constantly striving to increase the number of women in peace operations – whether military, police or civilian – and reach gender parity everywhere.

Today, I thank Major Zharare and all women peacekeepers for their service.

And I thank all of you for joining us as we honour all peacekeepers for their vital work in supporting peace around the world.

Thank you.

****************************************************************************

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Moments ago, I laid a wreath at the Peacekeepers Memorial to pay homage to the more than 4,200 peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives while serving under the UN flag. 

Please join me in a moment of silence in their memory.   
 
Thank you. 

This year’s Dag Hammarskjöld medal ceremony honours the 117 women and men who lost their lives in 2021 serving as peacekeepers.

Our fallen colleagues came from 42 different countries and diverse backgrounds.

But they were united by a common cause: peace. 

I extend my deepest condolences to their families.

They will remain forever in our hearts.  

Dear friends,

The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is an opportunity to honour the women and men on the front lines advancing peace around the world.    

We also pay tribute to the families who support their loved ones as they carry out these vital, difficult and dangerous missions, far from home. 

Our peacekeepers face great and growing challenges.

Increasing political tensions.

Deteriorating security situations.

Ever-more complex threats, from terrorist attacks to organized crime to Improvised Explosive Devices.

And a surge in mis- and disinformation that spreads hatred and fuels violence.

Despite these risks, our peacekeepers press on.

They work tirelessly in the toughest of conditions. 

They adapt to rapidly evolving situations on the ground.

And they constantly innovate to protect the most vulnerable – while representing our diverse global community.

They advance the greatest mission of all — peace.

I am so proud of their work.  

Tragically, sometimes, our peacekeepers do not come home.

One colleague who made the ultimate sacrifice is Captain Abdelrazakh Hamit Bahar.

Captain Abdelrazakh was deployed with the Chadian military contingent to our peacekeeping mission in Mali.

He and other peacekeepers were serving in a remote camp when they came under attack.

Heavy artillery fire, including rocket-propelled grenades, rained down on the camp during this cowardly assault.  

With the situation deteriorating, Captain Abdelrazakh and his commanding officer led a courageous counterattack to protect fellow peacekeepers. 

While working to secure the perimeter, Captain Abdelrazakh noticed armed assailants enter a house near the base.

Determined to prevent them from causing further harm, he single-handedly led an operation to clear and secure the house.

In undertaking this mission, Captain Abdelrazakh was shot and killed.

Tragically, three other Blue Helmets from Chad also died, and 34 were wounded.

If not for Captain Abdelrazakh’s bravery, more lives would have been lost that day.

His conduct truly embodies the value of putting “others before self.”

Today, I am proud to posthumously honour Captain Abdelrazakh Hamit Bahar with the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage.

As you know, this medal bears the name of a Senegalese peacekeeper who sacrificed his life in Rwanda in 1994 to save countless others.
 
Since its creation by the Security Council in 2014, it has been conferred only once.

Captain Abdelrazakh Hamit Bahar was just 34 years old.

But his actions revealed an extraordinary humanity and bravery that we will never forget.

His family are with us today and we are deeply grateful.

Please know that your loved son and brother will always be remembered.

He is an inspiration to the UN family, at home in Chad, and around the world.

I would also like to express my gratitude to the Government of Chad for its contribution to MINUSMA.

The country has paid a great price, with 74 peacekeepers giving their lives to the cause of peace over the years.

I am proud to have also awarded a Letter of Commendation to Lieutenant-Colonel Chahata Ali Mahamat, who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Captain Abdelrazakh that day and helped evacuate 16 wounded colleagues.  

I have also awarded commendation letters to Sergeant Cristofer Jose Citan Ramos of Guatemala, serving with MONUSCO; and Captain Mohammad Mahatab Uddin of Bangladesh, serving with UNMISS.

They both demonstrated tremendous courage in carrying out their work and I congratulate them.

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Each year, we also recognize the outstanding contribution of an individual military peacekeeper who goes above and beyond the call of duty to promote the principles of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

Today, I am proud to present the Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award to Major Winnet Zharare of Zimbabwe. 

Major Zharare recently completed her service as a military observer with the UN Mission in South Sudan. 

While deployed in Bentiu, she saw firsthand the enormous toll of armed conflict on entire communities.

She witnessed how women were even more vulnerable to violence, sexual assault, displacement, and hunger.

She observed how, like in so many parts of the world, women and girls were excluded from decisions about their daily lives, as well as political and peace processes.

And she took action. 

For years, Major Zharare had strongly advocated for gender equality and the recognition of women as decision-makers and leaders – she called for parity within her own ranks, and among local military forces and host communities.

In South Sudan, her diligence and diplomatic skills quickly gained the trust of local military commanders who sought her advice on women’s rights and protection.

Her approach helped UNMISS strengthen bonds with local communities and deliver on its mandate.

Dear friends,

Women peacekeepers make a profound difference.

They help the United Nations do its job more inclusively and effectively.

They save and change lives.

That is why we are constantly striving to increase the number of women in peace operations – whether military, police or civilian – and reach gender parity everywhere.

Today, I thank Major Zharare and all women peacekeepers for their service.

And thank all of you for joining us as we honour all peacekeepers for their vital work in supporting peace around the world.