Outstanding Performances in the Mission

The “Blue Helmets" encountered extraordinary circumstances during their tour of duty. A dangerous strain of malaria takes a heavy toll in the country whose people suffer from countless other diseases that are mostly unknown in Europe. With the help of MINUSCA and the French-led Operation SANGARIS, the state administration can take small steps only with great difficulties in order to stabilize the situation in the country after the end of a recent civil war. Originally scheduled for this February, the elections still cannot be held in the absence of proper preparations, so the currently valid official date must probably be modified again in a short time.

In accordance with a generally accepted principle of international missions, the participating nations usually fill the key positions proportionately to their troop contribution. That is why the members of the Hungarian contingent were caught by surprise when – based on their individual performance over the first few months – Lt.-Col. Szabolcs Rumbach was appointed Chief of the Military Operations Centre of the mission, whereas Lt.-Col. Alajos Kiss the main coordinator of all military observers in the mission and Chief of Staff at the Military Observer Coordination Cell of the MINUSCA Headquarters.

Lt.-Col. Kiss transferred the leadership of the observer post in early September, and then joined the staff officers serving in Bangui. Lt.-Col. Rumbach will officially assume command of the center in October, following the return home of his predecessor. In what follows, the two lieutenant-colonels will be directing the activities of military contingents and observers in the mission.