Cameroonian policewoman recognized by the United Nations for her work in peacekeeping

Superintendent Rebecca Nnanga of Cameroon has been selected as one of two runners-up for the UN Woman Police Officer of the Year award for 2020 for her exemplary service while serving with the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

“Through both her words and actions, United Nations Police Officer Rebecca Nnanga exemplifies the best of United Nations policing,” said Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix.

Of the nearly 1,400 policewomen deployed in UN peacekeeping operations, twenty-one were nominated for the prestigious award.   The year’s winner Chief Inspector Doreen Malambo of Zambia, who serves with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), will receive the top award during a virtual ceremony presided over by Mr. Lacroix on Tuesday, 3 November. Chief Superintendent Ugorji of Nigeria, serving with the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), was chosen as the other runner-up.  

UN Police Advisor Luis Carrilho, the UN’s ‘top cop,’ congratulated Superintendent Nnanga for her selection as a runner-up and said:  “We commend MINUSCA United Nations Police Officer Rebecca Nnanga’s tireless efforts to increase the recruitment of women police officers, achieving a quarter of new recruits in support of the internal security forces of the Central African Republic. Rebecca leads by example and is a tremendous role model for women and men in the police and in the communities we serve.”

Superintendent Nnanga deployed to MINUSCA in 2018 and currently serves as the Chief of the mission’s recruitment cell.  In this role, she has supported the recruitment of 1,000 personnel for the Central African Republic’s internal security forces over the past several years and increased the number and percentage of women included.   Her support for community-oriented policing has led to measurable security improvements in local communities. She has also worked to provide assistance to vulnerable people including survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) as well as opportunities for local women to acquire new job skills. Superintendent Nnanga has been commended for her outstanding managerial abilities and for her work in ensuring good conduct and discipline among UN Police personnel.  

Superintendent Nnanga joined the Cameroonian Police in 2001 and has served in assignments at the staff level and in training coordination.  She has extensive experience as a UN Police Officer -- serving previously in UN peacekeeping operations in Haiti (2011-2014) as well as an earlier stint in the Central African Republic (2015-2016).  

The UN Woman Police Officer of the Year award was established in 2011 to recognize the exceptional contributions of female police officers to UN peacekeeping and to promote the empowerment of women. The award carries even greater significance this year given the 20th anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.