Jakarta (ANTARA) - United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ visit to Indonesia on October 17-19 provided an opportunity to reflect on Indonesia’s contribution to global peace and security.
During a visit to the Indonesia Armed Forces Peacekeeping Centre in Sentul, West Java, on October 19, Guterres commended Indonesia’s contributions and paid tribute to four Indonesian peacekeepers who died while serving in Lebanon.
Nearly 2,000 Indonesian personnel are currently serving in seven UN peacekeeping missions.
Tributes to fallen peacekeepers need to be accompanied by concrete measures to ensure that essential peacekeeping functions continue when a mission ends.
This is particularly urgent as the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is set to expire on December 31, 2026. The withdrawal of personnel will then proceed gradually over the following year.
The form of any subsequent UN presence to maintain essential functions in southern Lebanon remains under discussion.
Indonesia’s contributions give it a basis for engaging in discussions on the future of peacekeeping operations. Its role could include sharing field experience and operational recommendations to help ensure a safe and effective transition.
Transition risks
UN Security Council Resolution 2790 (2025) stipulates that UNIFIL’s mandate will end on December 31, 2026, followed by an orderly and safe withdrawal of personnel over the subsequent year.
The resolution also requests that the UN secretary-general prepare options for the continued implementation of Resolution 1701 after UNIFIL’s withdrawal.
The resolution provides for specific activities during the withdrawal period, including measures to protect UN personnel and facilities, facilitate the safe withdrawal of personnel, and provide necessary support within the mission’s authorized scope.
These arrangements underscore the need for careful planning to protect personnel and ensure an orderly handover of responsibilities.
On October 14, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to discuss options for a UN presence after UNIFIL’s withdrawal.
Aoun warned that the withdrawal of peacekeepers could leave southern Lebanon without international monitoring while the security situation remains fragile.
He also stressed that the Lebanese Armed Forces would need UNIFIL’s humanitarian and logistical support if national forces were to assume responsibility for deployments in the areas concerned.
Lacroix concluded a three-day visit to Lebanon on October 16. The UN said several options remained under consideration, while Lebanon called for an international presence to be maintained.
No final decision
As of October 22, 2026, no final decision had been confirmed on the form of a subsequent UN presence.
This uncertainty underscores the need for planning that clearly establishes who will continue monitoring conditions, how violations will be reported, and how support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and humanitarian access will be maintained.
The risks associated with the transition are also directly linked to personnel safety. On March 29, 2026, Indonesian Army personnel Chief Private Farizal Rhomadhon was killed when a projectile struck a UNIFIL position.
In the same incident, Chief Private Rico Pramudia was seriously wounded and died on April 24 after nearly a month of treatment in Beirut.
Preliminary UN findings indicated that the projectile was fired from an Israel Defense Forces Merkava tank.
In a separate incident on March 30, Indonesian Army personnel Captain Zulmi Aditya Iskandar and First Sergeant Muhammad Nur Ichwan were killed when an explosion struck a convoy they were escorting for UNIFIL.
According to preliminary findings announced by UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on April 7, the explosion was caused by a victim-activated improvised explosive device (IED), also known as a tripwire IED. The findings drew on available evidence, including analysis of the explosion site, the affected vehicle, and a second IED discovered nearby.
The UN investigation assessed that the device was most likely placed by Hezbollah. This remained a preliminary assessment rather than a final determination of responsibility, as the investigation was continuing.
During his October 19 visit to the Indonesia Armed Forces Peacekeeping Centre, Guterres condemned attacks on peacekeepers as grave violations of international humanitarian law that may amount to war crimes.
He called for accountability and urged UN member states to fulfill their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel at all times.
The Indonesian National Armed Forces granted posthumous promotions to four personnel who died while serving with UNIFIL. Zulmi Aditya Iskandar was promoted from captain to major, Muhammad Nur Ichwan from first sergeant to master sergeant, and Farizal Rhomadhon and Rico Pramudia from chief private to corporal second class. The promotions recognize their service to the country.
Both incidents highlight the importance of credible and transparent investigations to establish responsibility.
Personnel protection must also be incorporated into operational planning throughout the withdrawal, including medical support, evacuation procedures, movement security, and communication with relevant parties.
The success of the UNIFIL transition should not be measured solely by whether the withdrawal stays on schedule. Any successor arrangement needs a clear division of responsibilities and the capacity to monitor developments on the ground.
Without adequate arrangements, the withdrawal of peacekeepers could create gaps in monitoring and coordination while tensions remain unresolved.
Indonesia’s role
At a meeting with Guterres at Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 19, Foreign Affairs Minister Arrmanatha Nasir reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to continuing its contribution to UN peacekeeping.
“We will continue to deploy peacekeeping personnel and contribute to shaping the UN agenda on security, humanitarian affairs, and development,” Arrmanatha said.
His statement reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to deploying personnel and helping shape the UN agenda.
However, it did not specify Indonesia’s position on arrangements to continue UNIFIL’s functions. Indonesia could strengthen its contribution by bringing operational needs and field experience into UN discussions.
Indonesia could advocate for a clear mapping of the functions that must continue after UNIFIL’s withdrawal, along with identification of the parties responsible for carrying them out.
This should cover monitoring the Blue Line, verifying and reporting violations, maintaining communication between the parties, and coordinating with the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Logistical support, evacuation arrangements, and humanitarian access should also be considered to prevent the transfer of responsibilities from placing an abrupt burden on national capabilities.
The Indonesian National Armed Forces’ experience could inform recommendations on the handover of operational information, movement security, medical support, and evacuation procedures during the transition.
Such recommendations should be grounded in operational needs and presented through available diplomatic channels.
Indonesia does not have sole authority to determine UNIFIL’s future. Decisions on the mandate and form of a UN presence rest with the Security Council.
However, as a troop-contributing country with extensive peacekeeping experience, Indonesia can advocate for continuity of essential functions and personnel safety to remain central considerations in those decisions.
Tributes to fallen Indonesian peacekeepers should translate into stronger protection, accountability, and responsible transition planning.
Indonesia’s contribution will be more meaningful if its personnel’s experience helps the UN maintain monitoring, support Lebanese authorities’ capacity, and prevent security gaps when a mission ends.
*Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak is a journalist at the ANTARA News Agency
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the ANTARA News Agency.
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