ASIATODAY.ID, SENTUL – A total of 1,117 Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel have officially been designated as UN Peacekeepers after receiving the iconic United Nations blue berets during the closing ceremony of their Pre-Deployment Training (PDT) at the TNI Peacekeeping Mission Center (PMPP) in Sentul, Indonesia. The ceremony marks their full readiness to serve in global peacekeeping operations under the UN flag.
These personnel are part of the Garuda Contingent Task Force (Satgas TNI Konga) for MONUSCO and Military Observers/Staff Officers (Milobs/Milstaf) for the 2025 fiscal year, having completed an intensive one-month training program.
The training was led by Task Force Commander Colonel Fardhin Wardana, and officially opened on April 21, 2025, by PMPP TNI Commander Major General Taufik Budi Santoso, S.Hub.Int., M.H.I.
In his opening address, Major General Taufik provided an in-depth overview of the mission environment, particularly the ongoing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) involving armed groups such as CODECO, FRPI, ADF, LRA, and M23.
“Each soldier must demonstrate loyalty, discipline, and responsibility both during training and deployment. Follow your trainers’ instructions, prioritize safety and health, avoid misconduct, and use your time wisely to sharpen your skills. Above all, pray and remember that this mission is part of a sacred duty to uphold world peace,” emphasized Maj. Gen. Taufik, May 20, 2025.
This year’s Garuda Contingent consists of two main task forces: the Rapidly Deployable Battalion (RDB) TNI Konga XXXIX-G MONUSCO and the Engineer Company (Kizi) XX-V MONUSCO, along with individual Milobs and Milstaf personnel who will serve in various UN missions worldwide.
Their comprehensive training included briefings from the Indonesian Armed Forces Headquarters (Mabes TNI), relevant ministries, and representatives from UN agencies based in Jakarta. Participants were equipped with the Core Pre-Deployment Training Materials (CPTM)—the UN’s standard peacekeeper curriculum—and Specialized Training Materials (STM) tailored to their specific duties and expertise.
Notably, this cycle of training also involved a Quick Impact Project (QIP) by the Kizi MONUSCO Task Force, which rehabilitated substandard housing in Tangkil Village, serving as a tangible expression of the TNI’s solidarity with civilians and a symbolic act of peacebuilding even before deployment.
The Blue Beret Ceremony marks the culmination of their pre-deployment journey—a solemn moment of honor and global responsibility. With blue berets on their heads and peace in their hearts, these Indonesian Peacekeepers are now fully prepared to carry out their United Nations mandate amid the evolving conflict dynamics in mission areas across the globe. (AT Network)
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