By: Amb. Salahuddin Choudhry
U under the banner of sole world body
N necking all state and inter-state conflicts
P posting all moves concerted and ready
E ensures agreement for ceasefires and writs
A among conflicting parties by peace troops
C civilians and police keep violence at bay
E ere policies get settled between groups
K keeping and making peace for rightful say
E evolves situation moves to normalcy
E eerie no more stabilized by mission
P peace harmony on trust not fallacy
E entente surely regained met in reason
R roadmap to lasting détente and real peace
S salute thee peace keepers world not to miss.
(On 29th May every year, the world commemorates the International Day of United Nations Peace-keepers and pays homage to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve as military, police or civilians in UN Peacekeeping operations for their professionalism, dedication and courage as well as to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in maintenance of the cause of peace.)
2020 Theme: “Women in Peacekeeping – A Key to Peace”
After the UN resolved, in the year 2000 through its SC Resolution 1325 and the Action for Peacekeeping initiative (A4P), and called for an expansion of the role and contribution of women in its operations, including uniformed officers, women peace-keepers have proven, in all fields of peacekeeping, that they can perform the same roles, to the same standards and under the same difficult conditions, as their male counterparts.
It is an operational imperative and they are NOW on the front lines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and indeed are committed to fight this ‘war’ with dedication and sacrifices while taking precautionary measures and implementing the mission mandates, despite numerous constraints and animosic circumstances.