THE seventh batch of Tanzanian peacekeepers serving in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) has safely returned to the country after completing a –year-long mission

Brigadier General George Itang'are, attached to eastern zone division of the Tanzania People’s Defense Force (TPDF, said at a reception ceremony at the Mapinga military training college in Bagamoyo District, Coast Region, that the battalion left the country on December 18 last year for the fairly distant destination.

Standing in for the chief of staff, Lieutenant General Salim Hajj Othman, he praised the soldiers’ dedication, asserting that they had representing the country very well, both as a military contingent and as citizens of Tanzania.

He described experience that the peacekeepers gained as invaluable, underpinned by the core values of loyalty, trustworthiness and courage, while remaining steadfast in their oaths.

Serving in the mission helps to build character, he said, receiving battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Mushilu who presented a certificate of recognition awarded by the United Nations. 

The certificate highlighted the battalion’s significant contribution to the citizens of the Central African Republic, he said, while the battalion commander noted that the recognition “stands as a testament to the bravery, professionalism and commitment of our soldiers.”

 Their return marks not only the completion of a critical mission abroad but also a proud moment for the entire army, he said, highlighting that over 2,600 Tanzanian military and police personnel are currently serving in six United Nations peacekeeping operations.

 These officers are involved in vital tasks such as protecting civilians and community policing, contributing significantly to peace and stability in a number of conflict zones, he stated.

MINUSCA is part of a broader UN peacekeeping network, which includes MINURSO in Western Sahara, MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and UNMISS in South Sudan. 

As of September 2021, the mission in the Central African Republic had over 15,000 personnel, including troops, police and civilians, supporting the country’s uneasy transition to peace following decades of conflict.

“The successful completion of the mission not only strengthens Tanzania’s standing in global peacekeeping but also underscores the country’s unwavering commitment to promoting peace, stability and security worldwide,” the divisional commander declared..