FIVE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers yesterday flew out of the country for a peacekeeping mission in troubled South Sudan where citizens have not known peace for years.
ZRP Commissioner-General, Godwin Matanga urged the police officers to behave during their stay in the eastern central Africa nation.
“As you embark on this journey, I urge you to take cue from your fellow police officers who have discharged their duties exceptionally well in previous assignments,” Matanga said during their send-off ceremony.
“These successes are attributable to the deep-seated work ethos, dedication and discipline established within ZRP. You should thus shun all forms of behaviour that might bring our organisation and country into disrepute.”
Matanga warned the officers about the harsh realities of war that may endanger their lives.
“At this juncture, let me hasten to say that I am aware that the duty of peacekeeping has its own challenges. During your tour of duty, you shall appreciate the devastating effects of war as well as its terrible consequences,” he said before urging the officers to observe curfew laws.
“It should be borne in mind that your duties shall place you in harm’s way as you discharge the United Nations mandate in the host country,” he said.
Zimbabwe has a long history of participating in United Nations peacekeeping missions abroad with the country having had 78 officers on UN peacekeeping missions in different capacities as of December last year.
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“To this end, like I have always said to others, never should you lose sight of the fact that we have sent you to South Sudan to be ambassadors of the organisation and indeed of our great nation, Zimbabwe,” Matanga said.
Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has faced a complex humanitarian and security crisis with children and women being the most affected.
Conflict, natural disasters, poverty and widespread displacement have converged, resulting in a surge in food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition in a country of about 11 million people.
Violent clashes and hunger have afflicted overcrowded camps, and government and aid organisations in South Sudan lack the resources to meet humanitarian needs.
In 2023, more than 7,7 million people, or two-thirds of the population, faced severe food shortages in the wake of the worst hunger crisis the country has ever faced.
Going into 2024, the war across the border in Sudan threatens to undermine the country’s already fragile economy and worsen political tension in the delicate period leading up to South Sudan’s first-ever elections, scheduled for December this year.
