PHNOM PENH: Cambodian Engineering Squadron 539 returned safely from their UN peacekeeping duties in Mali and were welcomed by national and foreign dignitaries upon their arrival on October 27.

Last week, Prime Minister Hun Manet announced the withdraw of Cambodian blue helmets following a request from the United Nations, who is ending its ten year peacekeeping mission to Mali. The mission was established in 2013 by the UN Security Council, and has been called the deadliest peacekeeping mission since then. Over 300 peacekeepers have lost their lives amid continuing extremist violence and rampant insecurity across much of northern and central Mali. The Council terminated its mandate in June following a request by the country’s military government.

Waiting for the Cambodian squadron at the Phnom Penh Airport on Friday were Defense Minister Tea Seiha, Cambodia’s UN Resident Coordinator Joseph Scheuer and other leaders from the Defense Ministry and military attachés from friendly countries. Minister Tea Seiha praised the success and brilliant achievements of the Cambodian blue helmets for braving the international mission for the cause of peace and humanity in the world.

Director-General for the National Center for the Management of Peacekeeping Forces, Sem Sovanny, said that Cambodia's demining achievements in the region gave the United Nations confidence to send a Cambodian engineering brigade to assist Mali in their peace process. He said that the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces turned a new page in the history of the UN peacekeeping force by entering Mali in February 2014, where they set up positions in three major regions: Kidal, Tessalit and Gao. Since then, Cambodia has sent 2,725 peacekeeping troops, including 193 women.

He noted the grave danger faced by the Cambodian blue helmets during their mission caused by state and non-state actors, who used improvised explosive devices and suicide bombings to threaten the UN mission. Natural disasters and infectious diseases also posed a risk to the troops, with one troop dying of a respiratory disease in February.

In November 2022, three Cambodian peacekeepers were injured in a mine blast in Mali, when their vehicle drove over an improvised explosive device in the central part of the country.

Joseph Scheuer thanked the troops, the Royal Government, and the people of Cambodia for their contribution to achieving world peace and welcomed their return home.