UNMIS to UNMISS: The unwavering commitment of Bangladeshi peacekeepers to peace

Inspired by the profound words of Dag Hammarskjöld, "Peacekeeping is not a job for soldiers, but only soldiers can do it," I, as a young captain, arrived at Juba International Airport on September 02, 2008, alongside my contingent, the Bangladesh Engineers Demining (BANENGR Demining) Company, under the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS). I was filled with mixed emotions: pride in serving humanity for the first time abroad, contributing to global peace, and the bittersweet feeling of being away from family and friends. It was not that I was oblivious to the challenges of the mission, I simply accepted them with grace having chosen this challenging life in uniform.

 

The Background of the Sudanese Conflict: Sudan's history is deeply marked by civil war since its independence on January 01, 1956. The First Sudanese Civil War, also known as the Anyanya Rebellion, lasted from 1955 to 1972 and ended with the Addis Ababa Agreement. However, the second Sudanese Civil War erupted in 1983 when the government declared Sudan an Islamic State, overriding the autonomy of South Sudan. This sparked a violent confrontation that lasted for over two decades, devastating the country and creating millions of refugees and displaced persons. Despite multiple efforts for peace, including the peace initiative under the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) supported by the United Nations, it was not until 2002 that significant progress was made. The Machakos Protocol signed in 2002 set the stage for the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which promised a framework for governance, wealth-sharing, and self-determination for South Sudan.

 

On March 24, 2005, the UN Security Council established UNMIS to support the CPA, deliver humanitarian assistance, monitor security arrangements, promote human rights, assist with governance and development, and facilitate the return of displaced persons. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in Sudan's peace process supported by an international peacekeeping presence.

 

 

 

 

Bangladesh's Role in UNMIS Peacekeeping Operations: Bangladesh, as a Troop Contributing Country (TCC), began its peacekeeping role under UNMIS with an initial deployment of 1,345 military personnel in 2005. Bangladesh's commitment to peacekeeping has been steadfast, and the country quickly became a reliable and highly valued partner in the United Nations' mission to bring peace to Sudan and later South Sudan. In Juba, the capital of South Sudan, Bangladesh deployed a Sector Headquarters, an infantry battalion, an Engineer Construction Company, a petroleum platoon, and a Level II Medical Hospital. Additionally, a Military Police contingent was stationed in capital Khartoum, where the UNMIS Headquarters and Force Headquarters were based. TheBANENGR (Demining) Company, my contingent, was first deployed in Juba in 2006.

 

By the end of the mission, Bangladesh had deployed a total of 8,214 peacekeepers under UNMIS, with three of its personnel tragically making the ultimate sacrifice. Their contributions, which often went beyond the immediate scope of their military duties, have been recognized as critical in the process of post-conflict rebuilding. Former UN General Assembly President Jan Eliasson eloquently expressed the role of peacekeepers, stating, "Thanks to the presence of peacekeepers, there have been those who were lost - the United Nations personnel who sacrificed their lives for a noble cause. Even as we mourn our fallen colleagues, we are uplifted by their unflinching commitment and are inspired to strive even harder for the collective cause so eloquently envisaged in the United Nations Charter: a world free from the scourge of war."

 

Tackling the Landmine Challenge: One of the significant post-conflict challenges Sudan faced was the contamination from landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXOs), and explosive remnants of war (ERWs). These dangerous remnants of conflict not only posed a direct threat to the safety of civilians but also severely hindered the return of displaced populations, obstructed humanitarian aid efforts, and complicated peacekeeping operations. The United Nations Mine Action Office (UNMAO), established under UNMIS, had the critical responsibility of addressing these issues by developing a comprehensive mine action program. This included surveying contaminated areas, clearing priority regions, providing victim assistance, and conducting mine risk education.

 

The BANENGR (Demining) contingent, operationally under the UNMAO, played a key role in the demining efforts. Bangladeshi demining contingent began clearing land in Juba and surrounding areas in March 2006. Their efforts were marked by bravery and determination, and by the end of March 2010, they had cleared an impressive 2,628,858 square meters (650 acres) of land. This effort led to the destruction of 6,358 anti-personnel mines and 399 anti-tank mines. These efforts were not without risk. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, in which my role had been pivotal one, often worked in highly dangerous environments, where detonation on-site was a constant threat. Despite these dangers, the demining efforts were instrumental in facilitating the safe return of displaced people, delivering humanitarian aid, and contributing to the long-term stability of the region.

 

The Birth of UNMISS and Bangladesh's Contribution: UNMIS concluded its operations on July 09, 2011, the same day South Sudan declared its independence following a referendum held in January 2011. With 98.83% of voters choosing independence, South Sudan became the independent country in the world, but this momentous event also brought new challenges. As the country embarked on the journey of state-building, there was an urgent need for continued international support, particularly in maintaining peace and security.

 

In response to the evolving needs of South Sudan, the United Nations established the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in 2011. While the transition from UNMIS to UNMISS marked a shift in focus, the core mission of supporting peace and stability remained paramount. Bangladesh, having played an integral role in UNMIS, continued its contributions in UNMISS initially with an Engineer contingent and later increased to several contingents. 

 

In 2023, I was once again given the opportunity to serve for peace in South Sudan, having been selected as a military staff officer with the appointment of Senior Ammunition Technical Officer (SATO) at the Force Headquarters of UNMISS. On August 12, 2023, I returned to Juba, now the capital of the independent state of South Sudan, for the second time, marking my third deployment with UN mission. In my previous deployment in 2016, I completed my second UN mission tour in MONUSCO, D.R. Congo, as an Ammunition Technical Officer (ATO) under the Force Headquarters.Returning to Juba brought back nostalgic memories of the challenges and successes of my first mission. As SATO, I had to oversee ammunition management and ensure safety. As outlined in my job description, I served as the principal adviser to the Force Commander, Head of Mission, and the Ammunition Management Board, particularly regarding ammunition and explosive safety within the mission, a demanding yet highly rewarding responsibility.

 

In 2024, UNMISS deployed 18,118 personnel, including 13,264 troops, 2,257 civilians, 437 staff officers, 231 experts on mission, 1,520 police officers, and 409 UN volunteers from across the world. Bangladesh is the fourth-largest troop contributor, with 1,631 military personnel deployed, and the seventh-largest contributor in terms of police personnel with 34 officers.In UNMISS too, five peacekeepers made the ultimate sacrifice. In addition to their contribution to global peace and security, the Bangladeshi contingents in UNMISS also play a vital role in our national economy, generating annual remittances of approximately 201 crores taka.

 

Bangladeshi peacekeepers have also contributed significantly to post-conflict reconstruction in South Sudan. In one instance, Bangladesh's engineering contingent constructed a 189-kilometer stretch of road between Yambio and Tambura, which significantly improved the accessibility of essential services, reducing travel time, and enhancing safety for both civilians and UN personnel.In addition to their work on infrastructure, they have been involved in numerous humanitarian and Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities. These include providing educational support to displaced youth, distributing books and sports equipment, running medical campaigns, and conducting health education programs. Their contributions extend far beyond the battlefield, helping to build the social fabric of a nation still recovering from years of conflict.Nicholas Haysom, the SRSG and Head of UNMISS, underscored the necessity of peace in his remarks, stating, "Peace doesn't just happen. It cannot be wished or willed into existence. It has to be made, it has to be fought for, it needs its own warriors."

 

Bangladesh's Impact on Global Peacekeeping: Bangladesh's commitment to global peacekeeping is further reflected in its broader contributions: in 2024, the country contributed 5,859 peacekeepers, ranking third globally. As a proud TCC, Bangladesh continues to support a range of peacekeeping operations, sending personnel to 63 UN operations across 40 countries on five continents with149 peacekeepers having made the ultimate sacrifice including 08 in UNMIS and UNMISS. The country's peacekeepers have earned recognition worldwide for their dedication, discipline, and commitment to human rights. In Sierra Leone, following the Civil War, the government honoured Bangladesh's contributions by naming "Bengali" as an honourary language and establishing "Sierra Leone-Bangladesh Friendship Schools." Similarly, in Côte d'Ivoire, a street in Danané was named "Bangladesh Road" to honour Bangladesh's contributions to the peace process.

 

From the early days of UNMIS to the ongoing efforts of UNMISS, Bangladesh's contributions to the peace process in Sudan and South Sudan have been profound. These peacekeepers not only serve as symbols of the UN's commitment to peace and security but also as a testament to the transformative power of international cooperation. As we continue to confront the challenges of a turbulent world, Bangladesh's peacekeepers stand as stalwart defenders of global peace, determined to fulfill their mission and protect the future of humanity.

The writer is an Army Officer