AYV News, August 16, 2024
Sierra Leone Troops have been invited by the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) for peacekeeping operations.
His Excellency, Ambassador Sadiq Silla received Maj. Gen. Patrick Gauchat, Chief of Staff/Head of Mission, and delegation of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) at the Chancery of the Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Cairo, Sarayat Maadi, Cairo.
The visit comes as UNTSO seeks Ambassador Silla’s perspective on regional security, not limited to military actions in the region or Egypt.
UNTSO Military Observers remain in the Middle East to monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other United Nations peacekeeping operations in the region.
Ambassador Silla welcomed the UNTSO boss and informed him of Sierra Leone’s ascendancy into the leadership seat of the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member for August 2024, and how President Bio is determined to preside over the council with the aim of advocating the critical subject of reforming the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and redressing the historical injustice amplifying Africa’s voice for effective representation of two permanent seats in the UNSC and two additional non-permanent seats, with the continent of Africa having the sole rights to determine countries that will represent them.
The ambassador highlighted Sierra Leone’s sense of inclusivity, peace enforcement, and willingness to always contribute troops to peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations in the United Nations.
In his contribution, Major General Patrick Gauchat declared UNTSO’s intentions to invite Sierra Leone and Kazakhstan to be included in their military observer mission.
He added that, Sierra Leone met top notch considerations based on certain beliefs, acceptance, and practices of multiculturalism. For the invitation of Sierra Leone as a UNTSO troop contributing country to be complete, the Maj. Gen informed that he will write a proposal to the Under Secretary General (USG) for Peace Operations in New York. When approved, the USG in New York will approach the countries asking for troops for peace keeping operations.
Both sides shared insightful perspectives on causes, dynamics, consequences, and approaches that address underlying causes of conflicts and ways of resolving regional security issues.
Other members of the delegation were Major GS Renato MARTI, Deputy Chief Liaison Office UNTSO, Cairo, and Lieutenant Colonel Andy Palmer, Chief Liaison officer to Cairo, UNTSO.