Vietnamese blue-beret soldiers mark Vietnam People’s Army anniversary in Abyei, show national dedication

Held on Friday in Abyei, the event was attended by Lieutenant General Robert Yaw Affram, Force Commander of UNISFA, and Kon Maneit Matiok, Abyei’s Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Public Utilities representing the local administration, along with other senior officials.

In his address, Lieutenant General Affram praised the Vietnamese engineers not only as skilled builders of roads and bridges but also as ambassadors of compassion and professionalism.

“We deeply appreciate the extraordinary efforts of Vietnam’s Sapper Unit No. 4, whose work has improved daily life at the mission and created better conditions for peacekeepers,” he said.

The presence of senior guests reflects the international community’s recognition of the Vietnamese peacekeeping contingent’s tireless contributions under challenging conditions.

Minister Matiok highlighted the dual impact of the Vietnamese blue-beret sappers’ work, noting that their presence brought both security and development to Abyei, a disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan spanning about 10,000 square kilometers.

“The local authorities and community are immensely grateful for the projects completed by Vietnam’s Sapper Unit No. 4. We congratulate the Vietnam People’s Army, a trusted friend of Abyei’s residents, on the anniversary of its founding,” he said.

Colonel Trinh Van Cuong, head of the sapper unit, emphasized that their mission went beyond building bridges, aiming also to foster understanding and friendship between UNISFA, local authorities, and the community.

The Vietnamese soldiers showcased their culture through bamboo flute music and traditional dishes such as pho and drinks like iced milky coffee, delighting international guests with the country’s culinary and cultural heritage, he added.

On the sun-scorched plains of Abyei, the bridges constructed by Vietnam’s blue-berets became symbols not only of engineering skill but also of cultural exchange and hospitality.

The anniversary ceremony offered a tribute to Vietnam’s military history while strengthening bonds with the international community and local residents.