Mogadishu, 17 July 2019 - The United Nations envoy to Somalia, James Swan, yesterday awarded medals to officers of a United Nations Guard Unit (UNGU) for distinguished service.

The soldiers, belonging to UN Guard Unit 5, were awarded the United Nations Medal for Special Service, normally conferred to military and police personnel who have served the UN with distinction.

“Today’s ceremony shows that the excellent work you have been doing since the day you arrived in Somalia has not gone unnoticed. I congratulate all of you for making the grade in a very challenging security environment,” said Mr. Swan, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia.

The SRSG lauded the collaboration existing between the United Nations security teams and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) personnel in Mogadishu and the regions, adding that the close working relations had contributed immensely in improving security in Somalia.

“Without AMISOM’s work and sacrifices, there wouldn’t be progress to talk about in Somalia,” the UN envoy observed.

AMISOM Deputy Force Commander, Maj. Gen. James Lakara, who also attended the ceremony, congratulated the contingent for delivering on their tasks despite the challenges they faced.

“This contingent has delivered on its tasks and I take this opportunity to congratulate members of UNGU 5 for a job well done,” said Maj. Gen. Lakara.

His remarks were echoed by the Commander of Sector One Administration Contingent, Colonel Elvis Byamukama, who thanked the soldiers for meeting the UN expectations and urged them to  continue upholding  professionalism in their new assignments back home.

The UN Special Service Medal was established in 1999 and  is awarded to personnel who have completed 90 days of service with a UN mission or organization.