Fallen Malawi soldier Chancy Chitete to be honoured with UN Peacekeeping’s highest award

The United Nation (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres will award the “Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage” to the late Private Chancy Chitete of Malawi during the International Day of UN Peacekeepers commemorations at UN Headquarters in New York on Friday May 24.

Chancy Chitete to be honoured by UN posthumously 
Chancy Chitete met the standard set by Captain Diagne.

The Diagne Medal, established in 2014 “to recognize uniformed and civilian personnel who demonstrate exceptional courage”, is named for the late Captain Diagne who saved hundreds of lives in 1994, before he was killed while serving as a UN peacekeeper in Rwanda.

The inaugural medal was presented to Captain Diagne’s family in his honour in 2016, but despite a number of remarkable nominations over the past four years, the awarding of the Medal to Private Chancy Chitite of Malawi will mark the first time the actions of a UN peacekeeper have been found to meet the standard set by Captain Diagne.

Last November, Tanzanian and Malawian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) came under heavy fire while conducting “Operation Usalama” in the eastern part of the country against the ADF, an armed group that had been terrorizing civilians and disrupting vital Ebola response.

During the operation Private Chitete saw a badly wounded Tanzanian peacekeeper, Corporal Ali Khamis Omary, who was unable to move and was exposed to enemy fire. Leaving his unit, Private Chitete single-handedly brought his wounded comrade to safety, sustaining fatal injuries while providing life-saving first aid. Corporal Omary survived, and Private Chitete’s heroism and sacrifice helped the peacekeepers achieve their objective and dislodge the ADF from its stronghold.

“The remarkable actions of Private Chitete helped protect many lives, both civilian and military,” said Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix.

“His sacrifice underscores the dangers our peacekeepers face every day while executing their vital protection tasks in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Private Chitete remains an inspiration to us all and we are proud to honor his memory and commemorate his brave and selfless action.”

It is planned that Private Chitete’s family will receive the medal on his behalf during the Peacekeepers’ Day commemorations in New York on 24 May.

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Mbawi
Mbawi
4 years ago

May His Soul Rest in Peace. His compassionate heart has also touched the Tanzanian government and its people as the talk of going to war with Malawi over our Lake has stopped. At least for now.

I hope this honour also has financial assistance to the wife children and family of the deceased. Hoping for the same for our soldiers who died in Nkhotakota by our Defense force.

Innoxy
Innoxy
4 years ago

Peace be upon that brave malawian soldier ‘chancy chitete’.May his soul rest in peace, AMEEN.

phakamani mahlambi
4 years ago

continue resting in peace, our hero, our own son from misuku hills.

victor
victor
4 years ago

RIP Brave man who showed the World that Love your Neighbor

Mkandi
Mkandi
4 years ago

This is great honour indeed. Continue to rest in eternal peace, Chancy Chitete

Khima
Khima
4 years ago

Man of Valor

Gas Machine Head
Gas Machine Head
4 years ago

This is a great honour. May your soul rest in peace

Joloza Kapokola
Joloza Kapokola
4 years ago

May the Soul of Chancy Chitete rest in eternal peace. We ask the Lord almighty to be with you in paradise! May the Lord be praised! You are an inspiration to the men in uniform! We will miss you brother.

Maria
Maria
4 years ago

Despite the honour, its so painful to the family.

Innoxy
Innoxy
4 years ago
Reply to  Maria

It’s so painful indeed and not only to his family but also to malawi as a nation.He was a brother to all malawians but almighty god will keep his soul in peace and wipe off tears on faces of his family and malawi as well, ameen.

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