Condolences are extended to the family of General Sem Sovanny, who was often involved in the dispatch of Cambodian soldiers for UN peacekeeping missions abroad. He passed away on October 8 at the age of 65.

Sovanny was well known in the field of peacekeeping, serving as director general of the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces, Mines and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance (NPMEC).

He played a key role in the deployment and welcoming of Cambodian peacekeeping forces involved in UN missions across 10 nations and regions.

Sovanny was on duty on Monday, the day before his passing, which was reportedly due to illness.

The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), in their condolence letter, stated that Sovanny had greatly contributed to enhancing the country's reputation, as well as that of the RCAF, on the international stage through his involvement in peacekeeping force management.

Several ministers, government officials and military leaders expressed their sympathies as well.

Sovanny held the position of first vice-president of the coordinating committee for force deployment to UN peacekeeping missions and was a member of the central committee of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). In its condolence letter, the CPP noted Sovanny’s achievements in elevating the Kingdom’s prestige.

Eva Mysliwiec, president and director-general of the Samdech Hun Sen School Complex in Bamako, Mali also extended her sympathies to Sovanny’s family and his colleagues at NPMEC.

“The memory of General Sem Sovanny will remain in our hearts for his unwavering dedication to protecting populations in conflict zones in Mali as well as in other parts of the world,” she wrote on October 8.