The newly appointed Force Commander, Major General Md Fakhrul Ahsan (Bangladesh), arrived in Laayoune on 04 May 2023 bringing with him to MINURSO over 34 years of military experience including his service in two peacekeeping missions - the United Nations Operation in Somalia, and the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Major General Md Fakhrul Ahsan had served as General Officer Commanding of the Bangladeshi 10th Infantry Division and as Area Commander of the Cox’s Bazar Area, as Commandant of the Bangladesh Military Academy, and as Brigade Commander in the 16th and 69th Infantry Brigades. The General was a Senior Instructor in Bangladesh Defence Services Command & Staff College. He had also served as instructor in School of Infantry and Tactics and Bangladesh Military Academy and as Assistant Defense Attaché at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

He is a graduate of Bangladesh Defense Services Command and Staff College, France Joint Forces Defense College (Collège Interarmées de Défense) and Indonesia Lembaga Ketahanan Nasional. He holds a Bachelor of Science and master’s degrees in development studies and defense studies.

On Friday 05 May 2023, SRSG and Head of MINURSO, Alexander Ivanko, presided over a military parade held as the Mission HQ welcomed the new Force Commander.

In his remarks, SRSG Alexander Ivanko welcomed the new Force Commander, stressed the key role of the military of component in MINURSO, and highlighted Major General Md Fakhrul Ahsan’s wide ranging relevant experience wishing him success in his new assignment.

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