Vietnam sends 3 more officers to UN peacekeeping in Abyei and South Sudan

Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, Deputy Head of the Inter-Agency Working Group, Deputy Head of the Ministry of National Defense's Steering Committee on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, chaired the ceremony. Also attending were representatives of a number of agencies and units of the Ministry of National Defense.

According to the President's Decision, Vietnam continues to send 3 officers to perform UN peacekeeping missions, including: Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen My Hanh, deployed to replace Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Minh Phuong, holding the position of Senior Training Officer at the UNISFA Mission, Abyei region. Major Hoang Van Kien replaces Major Bui Van Nhung, holding the position of Military Observer at the UNMISS Mission, South Sudan. Captain Pham Thi Mai Ngan replaces Captain Nguyen The Duy, holding the position of Military Provisions Officer at the UNISFA Mission, Abyei region.

According to Colonel Pham Manh Thang, Director of the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department, in order to prepare a replacement force for the comrades to carry out the mission, the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department has proactively selected officers to ensure they meet the requirements of military capacity, level, knowledge of UN peacekeeping, foreign language proficiency and good health.

At the same time, the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department has organized training courses as required by the United Nations such as: United Nations Staff Officer Course, United Nations Military Observer Course, Pre-deployment Training... In addition, depending on each deployment position, the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department has sent individuals to participate in training courses abroad to improve their qualifications in the fields that each comrade is responsible for at the missions.

“Up to now, the preparations for the deployment of the comrades have been basically completed, all three comrades have received the Letter of Approval from the United Nations, in which Major Hoang Van Kien has already had a plane ticket and will fly on September 28, 2023; Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen My Hanh and Captain Pham Thi Mai Ngan are expected to depart in early October 2023. All comrades are assured of their work and ready to depart to carry out their missions,” said Colonel Pham Manh Thang.

Speaking at the task assignment for the soldiers preparing to depart, Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan noted that officers performing tasks in remote areas with many risks need to thoroughly grasp and seriously implement the foreign policy of the Party, State, and Army; strictly comply with the discipline of the Vietnam People's Army, regulations of the United Nations, laws of the host country, instructions of competent agencies and the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department; and always ensure military style while performing tasks.

Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan asked the three officers to continue promoting the tradition of the Army and the Vietnamese Blue Beret Force, demonstrating their bravery and capacity, spreading the image of the country and people of Vietnam, the Vietnam People's Army in the international arena; contributing to preserving and building the position and image of Uncle Ho's soldiers in the hearts of the people, the government of the host country and international friends.

In the coming time, the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department needs to continue to strengthen personnel selection, prepare replacement forces for the following years, ensuring proper and strict procedures; select officers with sufficient qualities and capacities to meet the requirements of the task. In particular, the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department needs to study and develop a suitable roadmap to improve foreign language skills in UN peacekeeping, study the possibility of deploying forces to assume command positions of missions; coordinate with international partners to seek support and assistance.

To date, Vietnam has sent 786 officers and staff to participate in UN peacekeeping operations in 3 missions (in South Sudan, the Central African Republic and the Abyei region) and the UN Headquarters, including 779 military officers and 7 police officers. According to assessments by UN missions and agencies, Vietnamese officers have made great efforts in performing their assigned tasks, demonstrating professionalism, high discipline, and creativity; leaving many very good impressions on mission leaders, military commanders and international colleagues with specific, practical and highly humane contributions.