Guterres honors Indonesian troops who made ‘ultimate sacrifice’

Speaking to troops at the Indonesian Armed Forces Peacekeeping Center in Sentul – some of whom were deployed to the Central African Republic (CAR) – Guterres said those who died had paid the “ultimate sacrifice” to protect others in extremely difficult circumstances.

“Their devotion and sacrifice will never be forgotten. No one should die for peace” he said while offering his deepest condolences to their families.

“Attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law and may constitute war crimes. These violations demand accountability,” stressed the UN Secretary General, while pledging to continue calling on member states to guarantee the safety and security of UN personnel at all times.

‘Source of hope’

Guterres described the UN’s ‘blue helmets’ as “a source of hope in some of the world’s most troubled places” and, for him, “a source of enormous pride.”

Far from home and in some of the world’s most dangerous locations, the UN’s 50,000 peacekeepers reduce tensions between hostile parties, oversee the delivery of vital aid, protect civilians and create space for political solutions to be implemented, he said.

Indonesia is the world’s sixth largest contributor to UN peacekeeping, with nearly 2,000 women and men in uniform serving in seven missions.. Next year, the country will co-host the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting with the Netherlands.

The ‘success story’ must end

Addressing troops preparing to deploy to CAR, Guterres – who has worked with the country for 20 years, first as UN High Commissioner for Refugees – called it “a success story that still needs to be completed”.

Most armed groups “celebrated…the agreement with the Government and handed over their weapons”, he said, and the troops’ mission will be crucial in helping state institutions function across the region.

With their success, the UN can then gradually scale back its mission in the country, he added.

Guterres opened his speech on a lighter note, telling troops he was sure “there are no bad people in it [the Central African Republic] will dare to face the Indonesian people.”

‘Better multilateralism’

In Jakarta, talk in Guterres’ Foreign Ministry praised Indonesia as a “pillar of multilateralism” and a builder of diplomatic bridges between North and South.

With more conflict, deepening inequality and declining trust in institutions, he said many people question whether international cooperation can still be achieved.

“The answer to the deepening frustration with multilateralism is to reduce multilateralism. This is better multilateralism,” he said, calling for reform of international financial institutions and Security Council to reflect today’s world.

‘The nightmare must end’

Speaking to journalists alongside Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir, Guterres said that in Gaza, “the nightmare must end.”

“The peace plan must be fully implemented – and we cannot let the two-state solution disappear before our eyes,” he said, expressing appreciation for Indonesia which has always been at the forefront in providing support to the Palestinian people.

He also voiced concern over the deepening crisis in Myanmar, and renewed his call to provide protection for those fleeing violence and persecution, including Rohingya refugees across the region.