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VOL.6 December 2014
Mission Mali
Chinese peacekeepers in the West African country win the hearts and minds of locals
By Hou Weili

When Chinese peacekeepers were packing up to head home after their stint in Mali, a businessman from Gao in north Mali, who only gave his surname Mansa, was not a happy man. The general repair shop owner lamented the departure of the Chinese blue beret troops in September.

Mansa's shop was destroyed and his equipment looted during the turbulent days of conflict in Mali that began in early 2012. The result plunged him and his family into abject poverty. However, hope was at hand.

"The Chinese [peacekeeping force] engineers helped rebuild my shop and power supply when they came here, bringing hope to my family. I appreciate their efforts for making our life better," said Mansa.

The engineers were part of a contingent of 395 Chinese peacekeepers sent to Mali on a mission in late 2013 at the request of the UN. They returned home in two tranches on September 18 and 26. Apart from their core mission, the peacekeepers took time out to help locals where and when they could. 

Commitment fulfilled

Since March 2012, when a military coup overthrew Mali's democratically elected President Amadou Toumani Touré, the northern region of the country has been suffering continuous bursts of violence.

On April 25, 2013 the UN Security Council passed a resolution to establish the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), trying to bring peace in the region and initiate talks between the government and Tuareg rebels. On June 25, it was confirmed that MINUSMA should focus on duties such as ensuring security, stabilization and protection of civilians, supporting national political dialogue and reconciliation, and promotion and protection of human rights in Mali.

Chinese peacekeepers were sent to Mali under the framework of MINUSMA. The contingent consisted of engineers, medical staff and security guards from northeast China's Shenyang Military Area Command and 211 Hospital of the People's Liberation Army. They were deployed in Gao to protect UN peacekeeping offices and personnel, provide them medical care, repair the local airport and build roads, bridges, military barracks and supporting facilities. It marked the first time China had dispatched security forces for a peacekeeping mission since the 1990s when China first sent peacekeeping troops abroad.

 "The protection force is the backbone of a peacekeeping mission as they guarantee the security of every peacekeeper," Zhang Geqiang, commander of the contingent, told ChinAfrica. "The UN trusts Chinese forces and so requested us to guard its peacekeepers. By dispatching the force, China is fulfilling its commitment to maintaining world peace as pledged."

Zhang said that during the eight-month mission, the Chinese security contingent successfully handled over 60 emergencies, including protests and attempted terrorist attacks in a patrol area. The engineers rebuilt the local customs building and Gao International Airport, and set up protective fortifications, along with water supply and drainage facilities. Some of their tasks were undertaken in the towns of Menaka and Ansongo, which were controlled by rebel forces at that time.

The Chinese medical team established the Level II Hospital in Gao and provided air medical rescue services for critical injuries. By the time they left, the staff had treated 1,063 patients, conducted 456 surgeries and 2,100 checkups.

Sambe Mamadou, Commander of UN offices in Gao, spoke highly of Chinese peacekeepers' performance. "The Chinese force is trustworthy. Their efforts are vital to the success of the peacekeeping mission," he said.

Since July 2013 when the contingent came together, selected peacekeepers were given military training and made conversant with UN peacekeeping rules, diplomatic protocols, as well as local language and customs. "To adapt to the scorching heat in Gao quickly, the troops undertook physical training in full kit during the two hottest months in China," said Zhang. The full preparation ensured the soldiers complete their mission successfully.

High alert

Life-threatening situations were a reality for every peacekeeper. "This is not a drill. The enemies won't give us time for preparation," Zhang said. Each member was required to keep his weapons on hand at all times and maintain a high degree of alertness for rapid response to any emergency.

Peacekeeping in Mali is one of the bloodiest UN missions. After a Senegalese soldier died on October 7, the total number of peacekeepers killed since MINUSMA was established in July 2013 reached 31, according to Herve Ladsous, the UN Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operation.

"Fundamentally, we are here to support the peace process. Weapons are important to accomplish our tasks. But to some extent, thoroughly grasping the UN rules for peacekeeping and local customs is more important," said Zhang.

When arriving in Gao, the peacekeepers were asked whether their weapons would be a threat to civilians. Zhang eased local fears, conveying to them that they would always uphold the principle of minimum force. "Even in all life-threatening situations, we aimed to first try to talk a terrorist down and respect his or her human rights," he said.

The Chinese contingent was stationed on the bank of the Niger but never used water from the river. Instead, they dug wells in their camp area to fetch water. "We follow local customs no matter what the situation is. Water resources are local people's property. We respect that," said Zhang.

People in Gao gradually realized the Chinese peacekeepers were there to help. Learning that Malian children were crazy about football but the only playing field in the area was in disrepair, Chinese engineers rebuilt it in their off-duty hours, also presenting the children with footballs and school stationery. Medical staff treated sick and injured children and seniors for free. "It won the hearts and minds of Malians. As long as it is possible, we will lend a helping hand," said Zhang.

 

 

 

 

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