Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Golan Heights witnessed a significant day of commemoration and community engagement as Major General (Maj Gen) Anita Asmah – Head of Mission and Force Commander (HoM/FC), United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), presided over two important events that reflected the multifaceted nature of UN peacekeeping operations.
The event on 29 May 2025, began at Camp Faouar, with the annual International Day of UN Peacekeepers ceremony, where UNDOF personnel – military and civilian staff, and representatives from all contributing contingents – gathered to honour fallen colleagues.
During a formal ceremony that included a parade and wreath-laying, Maj Gen Asmah paid tribute to the 58 peacekeepers who have given their lives in service to UNDOF since 1974.
In her address to UNDOF peacekeepers, Maj Gen Anita Asmah noted that “Peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it is the presence of courage in the face of uncertainty, of hope through despair, and of humanity’s refusal to surrender to disharmony”.
The ceremony specifically remembered Maj Gen Francis Vib-Sanziri of Ghana – who led the mission until his passing in 2019 – and Brigadier General Amitabh Jha of India – whose death in December 2024 was a significant loss for the peacekeeping community.
The Force Commander acknowledged the contributions of peacekeepers from all nations who have served in the Golan Heights, from the original Austrian and Polish contingents in 1974, to the current multinational force.
Later that day, attention turned to community development, as Maj Gen Asmah led the official inauguration of three renovated schools across the Quneitra Governorate, which lies within UNDOF’s area of operational responsibility.
The Quick Impact Projects transformed educational facilities in Al Honout, Saida, and Ain Frekha villages, addressing extensive damage from a conflict that had left buildings with structural problems and damaged infrastructure.
The comprehensive renovation work included full refurbishment of interior and exterior walls, maintenance and replacement of doors and windows, electrical system restoration, sewage line repairs, toilet facility improvements, and the establishment of nurseries within each school complex.
In the Quick Impact Projects, school furniture was restored, wallboards maintained, and some key infrastructure upgraded to modern educational standards, with each renovation tailored to address the specific requirements of its location, ensuring students have access to improved learning facilities within their respective neighborhoods.
At the official inauguration ceremony held at the Ain Frekha school, General Asmah highlighted the importance of education as a foundation of community development and future prosperity, with the renovations symbolizing UNDOF’s continued commitment to supporting the youth of Quneitra governorate.
The inauguration ceremony, which was marked by cultural performances, with students presenting traditional dances to express their appreciation to UNDOF, drew enthusiastic participation from students, teachers, parents, community members, national and local government officials, and media representatives.
Representatives from Syria’s Ministry of Education and the Department of Education of Quneitra Governorate, participated in acknowledging the project’s significance, whiles Community leaders expressed appreciation for UNDOF’s attention to local needs and the quality of work that will benefit hundreds of students across the three villages.
The successful completion of the school renovation projects, executed through collaboration with local authorities and contractors, demonstrates UNDOF’s commitment to supporting educational development in the region.
UNDOF’s dual events of 29 May 2025 reflected Maj Gen A Asmah’s approach to leadership that balances traditional peacekeeping responsibilities with community engagement initiatives.
While maintaining UNDOF’s core mandate of supervising the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Israel and Syria, the mission continues to invest in relationships with local communities, through practical development projects.
Credit: HQ UNDOF
