By Xinhua writer Wang Jiangang

United Nations peacekeeping chief is immensely proud of the illustrious 75-year path of UN peacekeeping and commended China’s invaluable contributions to this noble endeavor.

   In an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Wednesday, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, noted the “extensive list of countries that have successfully regained stability with the support of peacekeeping operations. Countries like Timor-Leste, Cambodia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Angola have all witnessed positive transformations.”

   “The lengthy roster stands as a testament to the effectiveness of peacekeeping efforts,” said Lacroix, also highlighting the significant role of peacekeepers on a daily basis.

   “Their crucial role in preserving ceasefires cannot be underestimated. In many conflict-stricken regions, peacekeepers actively monitor and maintain peace, preventing potential hostilities from escalating into full-scale conflicts. This vital function often goes unnoticed but remains integral to maintaining stability,” he stressed.

   “Peacekeepers safeguard hundreds of thousands of individuals on a daily basis,” Lacroix went on to say. “The gratitude expressed by the protected population emphasizes the profound impact peacekeepers have in providing security and instilling hope.”

   “These successes, often underreported, represent the dedication and commitment of peacekeepers to make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by conflicts worldwide,” said the peacekeeping chief.

   Lacroix applauded China’s significant role as the second-largest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping efforts and its “invaluable contributions.”

   Lacroix underscored the tangible impact of China’s unwavering support in advancing UN peacekeeping endeavors.

   “First of all, I want to highlight the key areas where China has been really in the lead, particularly the issue of safety and security,” said the peacekeeping chief, expressing his heartfelt appreciation of China’s proactive engagement and unwavering collaboration, specifically its instrumental role “in deploying crucial resources.”

   China has recently accomplished the deployment of indispensable helicopter units in the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). At a critical moment, Chinese peacekeepers “took on a pivotal role, utilizing these helicopters to successfully extract UN staff members who found themselves trapped in Sudanese regions amid escalating conflicts,” said Lacroix.

   “We are truly grateful for China’s invaluable support and the vital contributions made by their peacekeepers,” he said.

   Speaking of the ongoing cooperation between the UN and China, particularly in relation to the deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems in Mali, Lacroix said this collaboration “signifies the continuous exploration of new possibilities and the commitment to leveraging technological advancements in peacekeeping operations.”

   “The deployment of UAV systems holds great potential for enhancing situational awareness and response capabilities in challenging environments,” he added.

   Looking ahead, Lacroix highlighted an upcoming minister-level meeting on peacekeeping to be held in Ghana. “China’s participation and contributions in this meeting are highly valued, given their significant role and contributions to peacekeeping operations.” 

XINHUA

Kenyan and Ugandan officials on Monday announced plans to install more scanners at the Malaba town border post to tackle congestion that inhibits the free movement of people and goods.

   The officials from the two neighboring countries that are members of the East African Community (EAC), a regional bloc, said an agreement has also been struck to open auxiliary roads at the border to accelerate its decongestion.

   Kipchumba Murkomen, the Kenyan cabinet secretary for Roads and Infrastructure, and his Uganda counterpart, Musa Ecweru, said Sunday evening that installation of the scanners and auxiliary road are temporary measures aimed at decongesting the Malaba border post ahead of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension.

   The agreement to erect more scanners and open auxiliary roads at East Africa’s second busiest exit and entry points is among key resolutions reached during a meeting attended by roads and transport cabinet ministers in the EAC region in Kampala, the Ugandan capital, on May 26.

   “We have identified challenges that are related to scanning processes within the border and agreed to increase the number of scanning equipment to make it faster with backup machines on both sides of the border,” Murkomen said during an inspection tour at the Malaba border.

   Congestion has been an endemic challenge at the Malaba border with snarl-ups by cargo trucks, sometimes stretching for more than 70 km.

   Murkomen regretted that malfunctioning of scanners hamper cargo movement along the single-lane Malaba-Bungoma highway in western Kenya, causing gridlock in the highway linking the Port of Mombasa and Malaba.

   He said investment in the acquisition of additional scanners and opening of new lanes for cargo trucks will decongest the Malaba border that clears approximately 1,000 cargo trucks daily.

   Murkomen noted that with an auxiliary road built, cargo trucks will be diverted to a lane that will connect to Malaba, adding that the lane will primarily be constructed to accommodate cargo movers.

   He said engagements between Kenya and Uganda and other EAC member countries are at an advanced stage to extend the SGR from Naivasha to Malaba and later to Kampala.

   The extension of SGR all the way to the Democratic Republic of the Congo would turn the region into a transport hub, and spur the growth of businesses, said Murkomen.

   Ecweru said that governments in the EAC region are committed to facilitating the free movement of goods and people, adding that decongestion at the Malaba border will be realized soon. 

XINHUA