Africa
Guterres honours four Indonesian peacekeepers killed in Lebanon and calls for “better multilateralism” in Jakarta
During a visit to Indonesia on 19 October, the UN Secretary-General laid a wreath for four peacekeepers who died in Lebanon, defended UN peacekeeping and called for reform of the Security Council.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres used a visit to Indonesia on Monday, 19 October, to pay tribute to four Indonesian peacekeepers who recently lost their lives in Lebanon, and to argue that the answer to doubts about international cooperation is “better multilateralism”, not less of it. According to UN News, he laid a wreath for the four at the Indonesia Armed Forces Peacekeeping Centre in Sentul, before holding talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta.
Guterres told troops at the centre, some of whom are preparing to deploy to the Central African Republic, that the fallen had paid the “ultimate sacrifice” to protect others in very difficult circumstances. He said attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law and “may amount to war crimes”, and that such violations demand accountability. He pledged to keep urging member states to guarantee the safety and security of UN personnel at all times.
Indonesia’s role in UN peacekeeping
The Secretary-General described the UN’s blue helmets as a source of hope in some of the world’s most troubled places. He said the organisation’s roughly 50,000 peacekeepers de-escalate tensions between hostile parties, oversee vital aid deliveries, protect civilians and create space for political solutions.
UN News reports that Indonesia is the world’s sixth-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping, with nearly 2,000 uniformed women and men serving across seven missions. Next year Indonesia will co-host the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial together with the Netherlands.
For background on the UN force in southern Lebanon, see our earlier report UN peacekeeping chief Lacroix in Beirut as UNIFIL’s mandate heads for its 31 December end.
Central African Republic: a “success story”
Addressing the troops destined for the Central African Republic, Guterres said he has known the country for 20 years, first as UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and called it a success story that still needs to be completed. He said most armed groups have “celebrated…agreements with the Government and are giving up their arms”, and that the contingent’s work will be decisive in helping state institutions function across the whole territory. If that succeeds, he added, the UN could progressively downsize its mission there.
Calls for reform and for an end to the war in Gaza
In Jakarta the Secretary-General called Indonesia “a pillar of multilateralism” and a diplomatic bridge-builder between North and South. With conflicts multiplying, inequality deepening and trust in institutions declining, he said many people question whether international cooperation can still deliver. He argued that the answer is “better multilateralism” and called for reform of international financial institutions and of the Security Council so that they reflect today’s world.
Speaking to reporters alongside Indonesian Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir, Guterres said that in Gaza “the nightmare must end”, that the peace plan must be fully implemented and that the world cannot allow the two-State solution “to disappear before our eyes”. He thanked Indonesia for always being at the forefront of support for the Palestinian people. He also voiced concern over the deepening crisis in Myanmar and renewed his appeal for the protection of people fleeing violence and persecution, including Rohingya refugees across the region.
