Bangladesh: Top troops contributing country for now!

United Nations (UN) peacekeepers come from nations around the globe. Despite the fact that 120 countries contribute troops, Bangladesh stands out because of its enactment of fostering peace. 

Bangladesh became a member of the UN on 17 September 1974; however, Bangladesh first deployed a group of qualified army officers to serve with the organisation in 1988 for monitoring the armistice between Iran and Iraq. Subsequently, Bangladesh Police followed the Bangladesh Army in 1989 and Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force joined the peacekeeping operations in 1993.

Working for UN peacekeeping missions is a strenuous job for sure. The situation is often complicated by the language barrier, uncommon diseases, poor road conditions, rugged terrain, poor infrastructure, adverse weather conditions, fear of uncertainty, cultural shock, and psychological stress, etc. 

Occasionally, UN peacekeepers are asked to take on ever-more complex tasks in a depreciating security environment. Sometimes, peacekeepers need to take offensive measures including 'using all necessary means' against rebels putting their own lives in serious danger. Peacekeepers do it within the parameters authorised in mandated tasks and considering the ramifications of their actions under international humanitarian law. 

Despite all these complexities, Bangladeshi peacekeepers are working for the cause of humanity. For the last three decades, over 1,70,243 courageous Bangladeshi men and women have made an everlasting impact in the conflict-prone countries they stepped in. Professionalism, sincerity, dedication, impartiality, putting service before self, and discipline paved the way for our peacekeepers to achieve global recognition and respect. 

Bangladesh is always keen to promote peace and our contribution is always applauded by the international community. As a nation, we are likely to continue the support as long as necessary because of our diplomatic commitment towards global peace and the Father of the Nation's mantra of "Friendship to all, malice towards none. 

On 17 July 2020, Bangladesh regained its position as the top troops contributing country by deploying 160 peacekeepers (Quick Reaction Force) in the Central African Republic. With that contribution, the total reached 6,731, with Ethiopia and Rwanda trailing behind with 6,662 and 6,322 peacekeepers, respectively.

Bangladesh is still the top troops contributing country with 6,722 military and police personnel working for the UN; nevertheless, this prestigious position is a matter of constant worry because we lead only by a marginal number.

According to the UN peacekeeping statistics, there are a total of 81,033 peacekeepers including 1,173 experts on mission, 6444 formed police unit (FPU) personnel, 1,710 individual police personnel, 2,028 staffs, and 69,678 troops deployed in 13 active peacekeeping missions as of 28 February 2021. 

According to the following matrix, Rwanda is breathing on our neck with an equal number of experts on mission. If Rwanda can increase the number of experts on mission, staff officers, and troops, it can easily become the top troop contributor. 

Furthermore, Bangladesh is retaining the top position because Ethiopia doesn't have any FPU members; whereas, Bangladesh has deployed 599 FPU personnel in UN missions. Bangladesh will lose the top position if Ethiopia manages to deploy a few FPU personnel. Alarmingly, Ethiopia's experts on mission are substantially more than Bangladesh i.e., 100 against 29. 

Being the top troop-contributing country generates a sense of accomplishment among peacekeepers. Besides graduation from Least Developed Country earlier this year, this is something that we can be proud of in the year of the golden jubilee of our independence. 

From April 1989 to April 2020, a total of 151 Bangladesh peacekeepers have made supreme sacrifices while another 229 sustained injuries. Our outstanding contribution and supreme sacrifice demand that we remain in that position for as long as we continue to support the peace initiative. 

Despite being the leading top troop-contributing countries for a long time, our share at the mission command level is scarce. The fact that Major General Md Main Ullah Chowdhury is currently working as Deputy Force Commander in South Sudan is a matter of great pride for our country.

Surprisingly, we only had a few appointments of such kind. For instance, Major General Anwar Hussain served as Chief Military Observer in Georgia in 2008. Before him, Major General Mohammad Harun-Ar-Rashid served from April 1997–November 1998, Major General Kazi Ashfaq Ahmed served from May 2002–April 2004. 

Major General Abdul Hafiz served as Chief Military Liaison Officer in Côte d'Ivoire in 2003 and Force Commander in Western Sahara in 2011. Major General Abu Tayeb Muhammad Zahirul Alam served as Force Commander in Liberia in 2008. Besides, Major General Mohammad Humayun Kabir served as Force Commander of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus in 2016. 

It is encouraging to mention that Brigadier General Mohammad Nazmul Haque has been appointed as the Chief of Staff at the Office of Military Affairs, Department of Peace Operations, at the UN Headquarters. He is the first Bangladeshi military officer to be appointed to such a key appointment at the UN Headquarters. 

It has been thirty-three years since we first participated in the UN mission; we must seek opportunities to substantiate our contribution by a wide margin, such as key appointments and top leadership assignments. We need more Bangladeshi Generals in those positions to lead the peace process. 
 
From a humble beginning, we have now become a leader in peacekeeping, peacebuilding and peace enforcement operations. We are the best in this business; we would like to keep it in that way for as long as possible.

Strategic diplomatic efforts, coordinated efforts, and military diplomacy at the international level will be critical in increasing our participation in the UN environment from this point forward.

Lieutenant Colonel Golam Towhid Al Kibria has participated in the UN peacekeeping mission in DR Congo. He can be reached at towhid6913@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.