General Edson Leal Pujol is the new force commander of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).
General Edson Leal Pujol is the new force commander of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). He is the ninth Brazilian Military service member to occupy the chief position in the Caribbean nation since the beginning of the operation in 2004. Pujol replaced General Fernando Rodrigues Goulart, who has led MINUSTAH since March 2012.
United Nations (UN)Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, who is responsible for the appointment of the new commander, thanked General Goular for his service. “Your dedication, professionalism, and leadership contributed to the stabilization efforts of the United Nations in Haiti,” he highlighted.
The command turnover ceremony took place on March 27, at the graduation stage for the 1st Peace Infantry Battalion (BRABATT 1), in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. The solemnity was led by Special Representative for the UN, Nigel Fisher.
Currently, there are 1,910 Brazilian Soldiers in Haiti. However, the UN determined that by June of this year the head count would drop to 1,450 men – the same number as before the earthquake hit Haiti in 2010. In total, 6,684 men from over 40 countries are under the responsibility of the Brazilian force commander.
The military component of MINUSTAH’s mission is to contribute to the maintenance of a safe and stable environment in the Haitian capital, in addition to supporting the international humanitarian relief effort.