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SOUTH SUDAN / MEDALS
STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / MEDAL PARADE
TRT: 2:31
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH /NATS
DATELINE: 22 MARCH 2012, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
1. Various shots, troops assembled
2. Various shots, UN special envoy for South Sudan (SRSG) Hilde F. Johnson pinning medals on troops
3. Med shot, UNMISS Force Maj. Gen. Moses Obi
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Maj. Gen. Moses Obi, Force Commander, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“Medals represent the recognition of efforts made by the soldier in rendering exemplary service. The UNMISS medal is presented to the UNMISS military personnel on completion of a minimum of 90 days of physical service with the mission.”
5. Various shots, troops at parade
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan (SRSG) Hilde F. Johnson:
“We have seen the courage that many of you have in actually facing a huge protection of civilians challenge facing thousands and thousands of armed warriors and showing dedication and willingness to protect the most vulnerable.”
7. Various shots, troops dancing to traditional rhythms
The first medal parade since the establishment of UNMISS was held this week (22 Mar) at the mission’s Tomping compound in Juba and brought together personnel from five different military contingents.
UNMISS Force Commander Maj. Gen. Moses Obi said that the presentation of medals signified a public recognition of the efforts made by soldiers in the performance of their duties. “The UNMISS medal is presented to the UNMISS military personnel on completion of 90 days of physical service with the mission,” he explained.
Noting that it would be some time before the mission attained its “full operational capacity,” the SRSG went on to highlight the peacekeepers’ work in promoting the enhanced UNMISS role in the protection of civilians under its UN Security Council mandate.
Citing the troops presence in Jonglei State, at the end of last year and the beginning of this year, Ms. Johnson remarked that troops had remained courageous
SOUNDBITE (English) Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan (SRSG) Hilde F. Johnson
“We have seen the courage that many of you have in actually facing a huge protection of civilians challenge facing thousands and thousands of armed warriors and showing dedication and willingness to protect the most vulnerable.”
Ms. Johnson, Maj. Gen. Obi and the Deputy SRSG Raisedon Zenenga pinned the blue, green, white and black striped medals to the chests of 57 uniformed peacekeepers. Among the recipients were three commanding officers, 23 members of the departing Bangladesh Battalion, 18 military liaison and staff officers, eight members of the Force Signal unit and five members of the Indian Battalion.
The color blue in the medal represents the UN, black and green symbolize the mission’s area of operations in South Sudan and white signifies hope for peace and prosperity.
Ms. Johnson also handed out citations to the Chinese, Bangladeshi and Indian units that operate field hospitals, the Bangdaleshi Infantry Battalion and the Chinese and Indian construction engineer companies.
The medal presentation ceremony was followed by a vibrant cultural show that show-cased the diverse identity of the military contingents’ respective home countries.
Members of the Bangladesh Battalion performed a rhythmic folk opera and were followed by members of the Chinese military contingent who demonstrated their mastery of the Kung Fu martial arts.
A celebratory war dance was staged by the Indian Battalion, and the cultural programme ended with a dance by members of the Kenyan Battalion accompanied by pulsating drumbeats.
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