The clowns giggling away here on a minor argument need to stop worrying about BA and concern themselves with their own indisciplined armies instead:
BANRDB achieved 94.08 marked on operational effectiveness conducted by force HQ which is a record percentage in the history of MONUSCO.
Bangladesh Army peacekeepers of UN Peacekeeping Force in Bunia remains fully committed to serve peace and control armed groups in the area by contributing men - and increasingly women troops.
Brig Gen Chowdhury Mohammad Azizul Haque Hazary, Sector Commander Northern Sector of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Bunia, told the Daily Observer that Bangladesh Army peacekeepers at Bunia are fully committed to follow the MONUSCO mandate.
Brig Gen Azizul has a distinguished UN career in the hostile environment of the UN BANRDB at Bunia.
Highlighting Bangladesh's commitment to foster women peacekeepers and increase the number who serves by 2020 and beyond, Cecilia Piazza Head of Bureau Bunia said, "We are satisfied with the work of BANRDB and consider it a privilege to work with BANRDB at Bunia."
Brig Gen Azizul said 22 Bangladeshi women peacekeepers are currently serving with more than 850 male troops of Bangladesh Army at Bunia.
A total of 1,360 peacekeepers were deployed at DRC under UN peacekeeping mission. Around 850 peacekeeping troops of Bangladesh army are controlling at least 64,000 square kilometre area. Bangladesh army BANRDB is fully equipped to deploy troops and control peace here. The modern "multi-dimensional" peacekeeping missions focus on civilian protection.
"BANRDB is working hard here, their situational awareness is much better and naturally our performance will also be better than all other peacekeepers from other countries, he added.
He said that Bangladesh was committed to having female engagement platoon in every mission where they contribute troops. "The Bangladesh government is always more than willing to make sure that the contingents deployed are properly trained, properly equipped so they are fit for the purpose - fit for the mission."
He further said some 14 Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed in Bunia since 2003. At least 9 army personnel were killed in an ambush by armed groups in Bunia on February 25 in 2005. Bangladesh was proud of the fact that it is consistently among one of the troop-contributing countries in UN mission.
"Bangladeshi people are aware of what kind of contributions is being made each day, ensuring peace and stability in the global perspective and I think they are very proud of us." the Sector Commander added.
Lt Col Abdullah Ibn Zaid, Director ISPR, told this correspondent that BANRDB achieved 94.08 marked on operational effectiveness conducted by force HQ which is a record percentage in the history of MONUSCO. Col Imtaj, Contingent Commander of BANRDB, said Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Bunia are protecting the civilian from armed groups and facilitating the peace talk to disarm them.
https://www.observerbd.com/details.php?id=232425
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"The UN says Bangladeshi soldiers are in demand because they have proved themselves to be highly disciplined.
There are far fewer complaints against them than soldiers from many other countries."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3763640.stm
Demand for UN peacekeeping forces around the world has surged in recent years.
Speaking in 2004, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said new operations had been authorised in Liberia, Ivory Coast, Haiti and Burundi.
The UN was also planning a substantial mission in Sudan, he said, and was looking to strengthen its force in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In total, he said that the UN would need an additional 30,000 uniformed personnel on top of 50,000 already deployed.
International exposure
So far, it has been poorer countries that have contributed most of those men.
Bangladesh and Pakistan have the largest contingents on UN missions by far. Between them they have deployed nearly 17,000 troops.
Bangladeshi peacekeepers are based in 12 countries
The United States in comparison has provided 430.
For Bangladeshis, the peacekeepers - who are on duty in 12 countries across three continents - are a source of pride.
"It is giving a good exposure to our country," said Flight Lieutenant Abu Saleh Mohammad Mannafi, a helicopter pilot with Bangladesh's air force.
"We're earning a good name and fame for the army, air force and navy as well as contributing to our economy. So it is doing a world of good for our country."
Remote locations
Flt Lt Mannafi has just returned from a tour of duty with UNMISET, the United Nations Mission In East Timor.
His helicopter, normally in camouflage, is still painted white with UN emblazoned on the side.
He flew sorties carrying troops to remote locations and air lifting casualties to hospital.
UN peacekeeping is a source of pride for Bangladeshis
The UN says Bangladeshi soldiers are in demand because they have proved themselves to be highly disciplined.
There are far fewer complaints against them than soldiers from many other countries.
Bangladesh's minor role in world affairs is also an advantage in peacekeeping. The country has few enemies so its troops are readily accepted by local populations.
In return Bangladesh's army is well paid by the United Nations. Peacekeeping earns the country $200m a year.
Analysts in Bangladesh say there is another benefit. A role abroad has discouraged the army from meddling in politics at home.
Bangladesh has a history of coups and military dictatorships but has been a democracy since 1990.
Price to pay
"They have gained international prestige, they have gained international legitimacy," said Professor CR Abrar, of the department of international relations at Dhaka University.
"So I think they would think twice or thrice before engaging in such adventurism. So in that respect I think it would have a deterring effect."
But there has been a price to pay, in lives.
We're earning a good name and fame for the army, air force and navy as well as definitely contributing to our economy
Flight Lieutenant Abu Saleh Mohammad Mannaf
More than 50 Bangladeshi soldiers have been killed while on active UN duty, leaving children without fathers, wives as widows.
Major Imtiaz was killed in a plane crash in Benin last year alongside 14 of his colleagues.
He was supposed to have been travelling home on leave three days earlier but was delayed.
Shortly before he got on board the flight he e-mailed his wife to say he would be home soon.
"Nothing can repair this loss," says his widow, Shaila Nigar Siddique, pausing to recover her composure.
"It took a long time to come to terms with what happened. But I console myself that he died in a good cause, for peacekeeping."
@Michael Corleone @Atlas @UKBengali @Bilal9