UN Police plays ‘critical’ role in consolidating peace in Liberia: force commander

United Nations Police (UNPOL) officers play a key role in consolidating peace in Liberia and assisting the country rebuild, particularly by training and supporting the local force in all aspects of law enforcement, the mission’s force commander said at the weekend.

Addressing UNPOL officers during an awards ceremony in the capital Monrovia, the UN Mission in Liberia’s (UNMIL) Lieutenant General Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor acknowledged that building peace in the country was a “challenging task” faced by all peacekeepers, as he urged them to work to gain the respect and trust of Liberia’s people.

“The responsibility of UN Police officers in consolidating peace in Liberia is very critical to the success of UNMIL’s mandate…Your work and special skills have contributed significantly in helping Liberia with its recovery, reconstruction and development,” he said, before awarding UN peacekeeping medals to 120 Jordanian police officers and one from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

“Jordan and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have demonstrated their commitment to international peace and security. You have done well in assisting, supporting and training the Liberia National Police (LNP).”

The officers have also dealt with different types of crimes, as well as conducted anti-riot operations and joint patrols along with the LNP, UNMIL Military and fellow UNPOL colleagues.

Jordan has been contributing personnel to UN peacekeeping since 1992, while the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia started its contribution in 2006 with the deployment of one female officer to Liberia, Juliana Trajkovik.