United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has expressed his condolences to Morocco following the death of Master Corporal Rachid Abarki, member of the Moroccan contingent serving with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). In a letter to Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the UN, Omar Hilale, Guterres says that «it is with deep regret that I learned the death of Master Corporal Rachid Abarki, a member of the Moroccan contingent serving with Minusca, on 24 April 2018». «I would be grateful if you would convey to your Government and the family of the deceased, my sincere condolences for this painful loss and express my gratitude for the contribution of Master Corporal Abarki to our peace action in the Central African Republic». Antonio Guterres «I would also like to express my gratitude for the contribution that the Moroccan Government continues to make to United Nations peacekeeping operations», the UN Chief said. The United Nations paid tribute on Saturday to Morocco for its contribution to peacekeeping efforts, as well as to Moroccan peacekeepers and their families for their services and sacrifices. On this occasion, the UN has published a collection of photos and posters entitled «Thank you Morocco for your service and sacrifice». The tribute to Morocco is part of the global communication campaign «Thank you UN peacekeepers for your service and sacrifice», launched by the UN to raise awareness on the strategic importance of peacekeeping operations and to express recognition to participating countries as well as to peacekeepers and their families for their sacrifices. Morocco, the 14th largest troop contributor to UN Peace keeping operations, provides 1,600 military and police officers to UN peacekeeping, according to the UN.
