ISLAMABAD – The contribution of Pakistan in the UN peacekeeping mission inSomalia, which marks 25 years this year, should be explored and documented,to promote goodwill on behalf of Pakistan and to draw lessons for furthersharpening the idea of peacekeeping.
These thoughts came in remembrance conversation in honour of the sacrificesof the peace-making soldiers in Somalia from 1993 to 1995. The ceremony,organised by Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) paid rich tributes tothe participation of Pakistan and Italy in the mission.
Participants recalled that much of the public imagination of the UNpeacekeeping mission in Somalia often evokes western documentaries andmovies made on the US’s involvement in that mission, especially in a battlein capital Mogadishu.
While the US has documented its history, no matter how contested, othercountries including Pakistan have done little to that end. This despite thecritical involvement of Pakistan in that mission: For one, Pakistanisoldiers went in the end to rescue the Americans in the battle.
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The UN mission in Somalia continued in multiple phases, witnessing a rangeof incidents. PIPS director Muhammad Amir Rana recalled that it was “not anordinary mission”. It was more than mere stationing of the troops, butinvolved direct combat, including Pakistani and Italians.
