In a historic medal parade, nine police officers from Liberia - the country's first-ever deployment to UN 国产AVkeeping - received the prestigious UN medal for their efforts to build an enduring peace in the world's youngest nation, South Sudan.
鈥淚 recall the civil war in Liberia vividly,鈥� says Elfreda Dennice Stewart, a United Nations Police (UNPOL) officer serving with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
鈥淢y parents managed鈥攚ith many sacrifices on their part鈥攖o put me through high school during a time of great turmoil in my country, following which I started doing a number of odd jobs to help out financially.鈥�
Elfreda braided hair and tutored younger children in her community, often returning home late at night, afraid of being raped at a time when sexual violence was rife in Liberia. 听
Rachel Briggs, another UNPOL officer from Liberia deployed to the world鈥檚 youngest country, has a similar story. 鈥淚 had so many dreams but the war in my country shattered them. I was separated from my mother in 1990 and till today, I don鈥檛 know if she is dead or alive. I continue searching for her, but my life has moved on,鈥� she reveals.
For UNPOL officer Alfreda Tozay, memories of people being killed, destroyed properties and extreme hunger stand out. 鈥淟iberia, when I was growing up, was an endless saga of horrors. My parents didn鈥檛 have enough food for us, and I would go to the bush, make charcoal to sell on the streets. I sold听bread on the roadside. But still, there was never enough to eat,鈥� she recounts.听
But their lives changed after the former United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) was deployed in September 2003. The UN鈥檚 mandate in Liberia was to monitor the ceasefire agreement following the second Liberian civil war.
But Blue Helmets on the ground didn鈥檛 merely broker a hard-fought peace for the troubled country; they were a beacon of hope for the Liberian people, especially women, to rise up and contribute towards shaping a brighter future.听
Elfreda, Rachel, and Alfreda joined UNMIL鈥檚 police training and became some of the first women to join the Liberian National Police.听
Now, these remarkable women are part of the first-ever deployment of UNPOL officers from Liberia to UN 国产AVkeeping.听
鈥淥ur experience of a 14-year civil war and the impact that UN peacekeepers had is real and tangible for the people we are on the ground to serve,鈥� adds Alfreda. 鈥淲e benefited so much from peacekeepers, and it is our honour to now serve in this young nation under the iconic blue flag.鈥�
South Sudan, and specifically Bor in Jonglei state, where all three are stationed, holds a special place in their hearts.听
鈥淲hen I came to Bor and started patrolling among communities, I knew exactly what they are going through because I and all the Liberian people have suffered the same,鈥� says Elfreda. 鈥淭his made me uniquely positioned to form a bond with听South Sudanese communities听and calm any tensions. When they hear my stories, they feel like they have found a sister. I always tell them鈥攍ook where Liberia was and look how peaceful we are now. If we can do it, so can you.鈥�
For Rachel, empathizing with the South Sudanese people听she serves has been, at once, harrowing and rewarding. 鈥淎fter my first patrol around听Bor, I returned to my accommodation in the mission and cried. It was like watching history repeat itself. But I knew I could make a difference and bring hope to communities living here. I tell them about my childhood, and I keep emphasizing a single point鈥攆orget the past and join together to build a better future for your children,鈥� she states passionately.听
鈥淥ur experience of a 14-year civil war and the impact that UN peacekeepers had is real and tangible for the people we are on the ground to serve,鈥� adds Alfreda. 鈥淲e benefited so much from peacekeepers, and it is our honour to now serve in this young nation under the iconic blue flag.鈥�
Elfreda, Rachel and Alfreda were among nine Liberian UNPOL officers who recently received the prestigious UN medal for their service to the cause of building a lasting peace in South Sudan.听
鈥淏eing shortlisted for UNMISS was a dream come true and everyday as we enhance capacities of our local counterparts in the South Sudan Police Service, we ask them to look at us as an example of what a country and its women can achieve, with help from the UN,鈥� continues Rachel with a smile.听
鈥淲e learnt a lot from UNMIL peacekeepers. Now, as听peacekeepers ourselves, it is our time to give back听to South Sudan,鈥� says Elfreda in conclusion.
The historic medal ceremony听for听these nine outstanding Liberian police officers听was full of special moments. A particularly poignant one was when Murat Isik, UNPOL Chief of Staff for UNMISS -听who had previously served with the UNMIL from听2004-2005听as听the听instructor of the听Liberian Police Service Training Academy听- pinned the medal on听one of his former cadets, Togba Massaquoi.
"There can be no greater joy听than to听see Togba serve ably as my deputy at UNMISS, helping听create a more peaceful, prosperous听South Sudan. Togba and every awardee from Liberia are living examples of the power of peace," said Mr. Isik, eloquently.听听
The moving occasion was attended by UNMISS听Police Commissioner, Christine Fossen, and Deputy Special Representative as well as Resident Coordinator for South Sudan, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, who hails from Liberia herself.
