Five officers take up peacekeeping duties in Africa

Four military officers will work at the Central African Mission (MINUSCA), while the remaining will be assigned to the South Sudan Mission (UNMISS).

On January 12, the Ministry of National Defense held a ceremony to present the President's decision to five officers on peacekeeping missions. The four who arrived at the Central African Mission are Lieutenant Colonel Do Van Thong, who will take on the position of operations officer; Major Trinh Van Hung, an intelligence officer; Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Hai Duy, an intelligence officer; Senior Lieutenant Le Son Tung, an equipment officer. The remaining person is Senior Lieutenant Pham Vu Huy Hiep, who will take on the role of operations officer at the South Sudan Mission (UNMISS).

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, requested officers to quickly grasp the area, perform well assigned tasks, ensure absolute safety of people and equipment, coordinate closely, and strengthen solidarity between the military and civilians in the stationed area.

Five officers listen to the announcement of the President's Decision. Photo: People's Army Newspaper — Five officers listen to the announcement of the President 's Decision. Photo: *People's Army Newspaper*

The Deputy Minister of National Defense assigned the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department to expand the activities, forms, scale and locations of participating missions; perfect the legal corridor and policy basis for participating in peacekeeping activities. "Research and develop a suitable roadmap to improve foreign language skills for the force and the ability to assume command positions at the Missions," General Chien said.

The MINUSCA mission was established in April 2014, and currently has 43 countries sending forces to participate. Vietnam has 10 officers and soldiers working here. The mission's mission is to protect civilians and support the transition of power in the Central African Republic in the context of many armed groups operating. Most of the Central African Republic's territory is in the hands of armed groups and 60% of the country's population needs assistance.

The UNMISS mission was established in July 2011 with the main mission of ensuring peace, building political stability and long-term economic development for South Sudan, as well as supporting the government of this country to limit conflicts and protect civilians. In June 2014, Vietnam first participated in peacekeeping operations at UNMISS. Currently, there are 74 Vietnamese officers on duty here.

By January, Vietnam had sent 799 officers and staff to participate in peacekeeping activities at three UN missions and headquarters, including 792 military officers and seven police officers.

Son Ha

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