Police Colonel Ruslan Zholdoshbaev from the Kyrgyz Republic (on the right) serves in the UN Mission in South Sudan. Interview | Mirmobravtsev Day: How a policeman from Kyrgyzstan contributes to the future of South Sudan UN The International Day of Peacekeepers of the UN, which is celebrated on May 29, pays tribute to the service and the self -sacrifice of the “blue helmets”, as well as the stamina of the communities that they serve. Today, more than 68 thousand military, police and civilian peacekeepers participate in 11 missions deployed in hot spots around the world. Among them is the police colonel Ruslan Zholdoshbaev from the Kyrgyz Republic, serving in the UN Mission in South Sudan (Monous). In an interview with Evgenia Kleshcheva, he spoke about personal motivation, professional challenges and how peacekeeping forms bridges between cultures. Zholdoshbaev devoted more than 20 years to the service in the internal affairs bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic. Today he works at the headquarters of Monois in the capital of South Sudan Jube, where he holds the post of officer for the selection and appointment of personnel. This is his second mission as part of the UN contingent-he was the first in 2017-2019. This time he was appointed commander of the Kyrgyz police contingent. from Kyrgyzstan – to the southern Sudan 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 ~For Zholdoshbaev, the motivation lies not only in personal growth and international experience, but also in the ability to share knowledge, adequately represent his country and build strong professional connections. ~ 60 > “Each UN member state must contribute to maintaining the world. The Kyrgyz Republic does this, directing its police and the military in the UN mission, ”he says. ~ 60 > read Also: interview | “Here I am doing something significant”: the experience of a woman-peaceman from Kyrgyzstan in South Sudan ~ 60 > Kyrgyz police contingent in Southern Sudan today is represented by 10 officers, including one woman. Many of them hold key positions and are highly valued in mission. “When we are remembered, they say rather not“ Ruslan ”, but“ Kyrgyzstan ”. This is the real contribution – to reserve a good reputation of the country, ”said the Peacemaker. local police support 62 > 62 > South Sudan – a young state formed in 2011 after decades of the Civil War. The country continues to face the consequences of internal conflict, political instability and humanitarian crises. The UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan was created by the Security Council in order to promote stability, protect the civilian population and support the political process in the country. ~ 60 > 60 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62One of the areas of work of Monius is to support the National Police and increase its professional level. “Crime exists in any country – whether it is Kyrgyzstan, the USA or the state in Africa. The resources of law enforcement agencies are distinguished, ”said Ruslan Zholdoshbaev. He emphasized that the main mandate of Monius is the protection of the civilian population, and it is in this direction that Kyrgyz officers, together with other international colleagues, provide the assistance of the local police. Among the urgent problems are cattlecock, especially common in rural areas. The police officer contingent of the mission conducts specialized trainings to combat this type of crimes, as well as on road regulation, security in the organization of elections, migration control and management of situations with a forced resettlement of the population. ~ 60 > Zholdoshbaev is responsible for the selection and distribution of police from different countries according to the internal structures of the mission – based on professional skills and experience, as well as taking into account the gender balance and other factors. According to Ruslan, the key criteria for the selection of candidates for the Service are the values of the UN, namely professionalism, honesty and respect for diversity. “If you are not a professional how you can train others ? we carefully monitor how a person behaves, how he reacts in a stressful situation, can it work in a multicultural environment,” the Peacemaker emphasized. ~ 60 > adaptation to difficult conditions The service in the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan is associated with a number of challenges – both professional and personal. One of the main tests, according to Zholdoshbaev, is climatic conditions: in the country there are only two seasons – droughts and rains, and the temperature may exceed 35 degrees of Celsius. The body, accustomed to four seasons, adapts heavily, he says. Add tension and internal security issues. In addition, in the remote areas of the country there is a lack of food and other essential items, and the price of basic products can be several times higher than the capital’s prices. & Amp; nbsp; 62 > 62 > 62 >Ruslan has three children, and, as he admits, one of the most difficult trials is to be far from the family. “In the first mission, the children were small, did not understand why dad left. Now it’s already simpler: they understand what I am doing and support. ” “For example, I am from Central Asia, with our neighboring countries, we have similar cultures, traditions, customs. But here, in South Sudan, other traditions and customs that have to be adapted, ”the Peacemaker notes. In addition, the high level of diseases, such as malaria, requires special attention to health, he adds. Nevertheless, according to him, you can adapt to everything. international cooperation 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 ~For Zholdoshbaev, the key resource in overcoming difficulties and fulfilling the tasks in the mission was the accumulated experience, as well as the atmosphere of mutual support in the international team. Professional relations, according to the officer, often develop into long -term partnerships, which remain after the completion of the mission. After the first business trip, he continued to cooperate with his colleagues – he applied for his consultations in the framework of his work in the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and always received support. 60 > “For example, after the end of the first mission, when I worked in the IMS of the KR police, I needed information about the work of the Malaysian Police and I immediately went directly to my colleagues from Malayia and I requested the information that I had already received the next day. Such interactions with international colleagues are one of the main positive aspects of the service, ” – & nbsp; said Zholdoshbaev. ~ 60 > Certified UN instructor also Ruslan is especially proud of the receipt The status of a certified UN instructor. This gives the right to personally take away police officers for missions around the world. “There are only four such instructors in South Sudan, and two of us from Kyrgyzstan, including one girl. This is pride for us and, of course, for Kyrgyzstan. In April 2025, I went to Nepal and carried out the selection of police officers. This demonstrates trust from the UN headquarters, and at the same time it is a great responsibility for the set of police officers of foreign states, ”he says. 62 ~ 60 > 62 ~ future peacekeepers those who are just thinking about The peacekeeping service, Ruslan Zholdoshbaev advises to start with the preparation: “Study English, strengthen health, learn more about the country you are going to. South Sudan is a difficult context, and you need to be prepared for climate, cultural features and potential challenges, including diseases. But this is an invaluable experience-and any UN member country must contribute. This is a very good platform for everyone who wants to represent their country in the international arena. ”