Abeche -- MINURCAT celebrated this year's International Day of Peacekeepers in Abeche, where the mission has established its Force Headquarters. The event was attended at the highest level by the United Nations Special Representative in Chad and Central African Republic, Mr. Victor Angelo and his Deputy, Ms. Rima Salah, the Force Commander, Major General Elhadji Mouhamadou Kandji, and the Police Commissioner, Major General Gerardo Chaumont. Several other UN staff -- civilian, UNPOL, and military alike -- were also present. Many of them flew in from other regions early this afternoon in order to take part in the celebration.

The ceremony staged at MINURCAT Force HQ, started at 16:50 with the arrival of the first guests, and ended at 17:30. The highlights of the gathering were the reading of a note followed by a minute's silence in memory of the mission's peacekeepers who died during service, the playing of the UN anthem, a speech by the Deputy Special Representative on this year's theme, i.e., "Women in Peacekeeping: the Power to Empower", a reading by the SRSG of the Secretary-General's statement, and a group photo with all the women present at the ceremony.

Note: For more information on other activities of the mission, please visit our website: www.minurcat.unmissions.org