Fallen Zambian peacekeeper honored with UN medal

THE United Nations has awarded the Dag Hammarskjold medal, posthumously, to Zambia Police Service Inspector Nathan Mutamfu, who lost his life on a UN peacekeeping mission.

Mr. Mutamfu died on February 23, 2015 while he was assigned to the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

The fallen peacekeeper from Zambia was among the 128 who posthumously received the Dag Hammarskjold medal at a solemn ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York during commemorations of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.

This is according to a statement released by Permanent mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations first secretary for press and public relations Chibaula Silwamba.

Military Advisor at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the UN, Brigadier General Erick Mwewa received the medal on behalf of the Mr. Mutamfu family.

Mr. Silwamba stated that Zambia is a long-standing troop and police contributing country to UN peacekeeping operations.

He stated that Zambia currently contributes a total 908 military and police personnel in seven UN peace operations, with the vast majority serving in the Central African Republic.

“More than 105,000 uniformed personnel from 124 troop and police contributing countries currently serve under the blue flag, along with 18,000 international and national civilian staff and United Nations Volunteers,” Mr. Sulwamba stated.

“The General Assembly established the International Day of UN Peacekeepers in 2002, in tribute to all men and women serving in peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage, and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.”

Mr. Silwamba stated that the General Assembly designated May 29 as the Day for commemorations because it was the date in 1948 when the United Nations’ first peacekeeping mission, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), began operations.

He stated that the UN peacekeeping operations, UN Information Centres and other UN offices around the world will observe the Day on or around 29 May.