Nine Fijian Police officers have completed the three-day United Nations pre-embarkation Course required to competently perform peacekeeping duties when deployed with the United Nations African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
The aim of the course was to equip the officers with the knowledge of the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The nine officers will be representing Fiji and the Fiji Police Force at the two mission areas in the coming weeks.
Director International Relations Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ulaiasi Ravula said although they were not sending a large contingent across for those missions, “we are still in our small way extending Government’s reach to several countries since the first Police mission to Namibia”.
He reminded the officers their selection was part of the Government’s intent on extending its foreign diplomacy.
Police say in the last 12 months, the Fiji Police Force has secured places at the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) and the United Nations Mission in Yemen, marking the Fiji’s first footprints in the two mission areas.
SSP Ravula said the knowledge gained should be put to good use because there were many young officers waiting for their opportunity to be also part of UN missions.
“There’s a lot of competition going on with member countries, we are thankful for our representatives in New York for continuing to knock on doors which is why discipline will be key to keeping the doors open for our institution.”
The first officer is expected to leave on August 31, 2020, for a one-year tour of duty with UNISFA. The remaining officers will leave next month for UNAMID.
