MINUSMA deploys 140 Burkinabè peacekeepers in Mali's Gao region
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) on Tuesday deployed 140 peacekeepers, including 11 women from Burkina Faso, to contribute, alongside the other nations within MINUSMA in the Gao region, to strengthening stability and peace.
According to a statement from the UN mission, the peacekeepers from the UNPOL police unit of Burkina Faso recently arrived in the 'Cité des Askia' where they are undergoing specific initiation training in terms of organisation of the UN police, conduct and discipline and different forms of sexual exploitation and abuse, the right method of HIV prevention, among others.
"We learned, during this training, how important it is to show a degree of zero tolerance to sexual exploitation and abuse," said Adama Sawadogo, the Burkinabe commander who has been part of the gendarmerie in his country since 1991.
"He is well aware of the challenges that he and his elements face in a region plunged into insecurity and difficult weather conditions," the statement said.
Burkina Faso has participated with two battalions, more than 1,740 men, in UN peacekeeping operations in Mali since the deployment of MINUSMA in 2013.
"My country is and remains determined to do everything in its power to bring peace and stability to Mali for good," added Sawadogo.
-0- PANA TNDD/IS/KND/AR 28Oct2020
