Presentation of the flag to the MONUSCO SENFPU-3 contingent: Senegal reinforces its commitment to peace in the DRC

On behalf of the Director General of the National Police, Chief Superintendent Jean Mané, Deputy Director of the Mobile Intervention Group (GMI), presided over the solemn ceremony on Thursday, October 22, 2026, for the presentation of the national flag to the incoming contingent of the Third Senegalese Formed Police Unit (SENFPU-3), 6th rotation. The event took place at the GMI Martyrs' Camp in Thiès, just days before the imminent deployment of troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of MONUSCO.

Addressing the Chief Commissioner commanding this rotation, as well as the officers, non-commissioned officers and police agents, the Deputy Director of the GMI recalled the symbolic significance of this act: "This flag entrusted to you is the soul of our Nation, the symbol of our sovereignty of action, the reflection of our history and our motto: One People - One Goal - One Faith."

A strengthened team and a strong female leadership

This sixth rotation marks a major strategic turning point for the police force in two respects. Operationally, the unit will depart with a strength of 170 personnel, compared to 140 for the outgoing contingent. This significant increase reflects Senegal's commitment to projecting a more robust force to address the growing security challenges in the Congolese theater of operations.

Institutionally, the command of this unit is entrusted for the second time in the history of the Senegalese police to a woman, in the person of a Chief Police Commissioner.

The contingent also includes 34 other women, illustrating Senegal's commitment to complying with UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. This strong female presence is a valuable asset for building trust with local communities and ensuring close protection for vulnerable individuals.

Rigorous preparation in the face of security and health challenges

Before their departure, the contingent underwent intensive three-stage preparation: two weeks of leadership and management training for officers, followed by six weeks of tactical and crowd control training for all personnel. This preparation was validated by the FPAT assessment conducted by United Nations experts, confirming the high operational capacity of the Senegalese police.

Commissioner Jean Mané urged the peacekeepers to be courageous and vigilant in the face of the complex situation in Goma, marked by the presence of armed groups such as the M23, as well as the health risks linked to the Ebola epidemic. He emphasized rigorous discipline, strict adherence to the UN Code of Conduct, and a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of sexual exploitation or abuse.

Conveying the support of the Director General of the National Police, the senior officer urged the officers to demonstrate unwavering cohesion to proudly represent Senegal on the international stage.