Two hundred and eighty Egyptian peacekeepers—including 30 women—from the MINUSCA 10th Mechanized Infantry Battalion were awarded the United Nations Medal on August 20 in Bangui, in recognition of their commitment to peace and civil protection in the Central African Republic.
The medal presentation ceremony took place in the presence of the Acting Head of MINUSCA, Ebrima Ceesay; the Force Commander, Lieutenant General Humphrey Nyone; and the Chief of General Staff of the Central African Armed Forces, General Zéphirin Mamadou.
Deployed to Bangui since October 2025, the Egyptian contingent has conducted more than 4,320 patrols across the capital and its surroundings. These operations focused on securing sensitive sites, assisting with logistical support for electoral security, and guarding unexploded ordnance disposal activities at the PK39 firing range. Ebrima Ceesay praised the peacekeepers for demonstrating solidarity and humanity while reassuring local populations, protecting civilians, and maintaining freedom of movement for residents and humanitarian actors.
Beyond security operations, the peacekeepers engaged in civil-military cooperation efforts by distributing water and medical supplies to vulnerable populations and leading awareness campaigns against sexual exploitation and abuse. Following the ceremony, Captain Omar El God, military advisor to the Egyptian battalion, expressed pride in supporting the Central African population. Egypt has contributed to MINUSCA operations since 2016 and currently maintains a total deployment of 600 personnel, including 30 women, in the country.
TE/Sf/lb/abj/APA