Mr. Karimou Ide, 1969 - 2010
Security Officer (Niger)
Karimou Ide, a national of Niger, worked for the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) since 2007, providing close protection to the head of Mission, Hédi Annabi.
He studied Law at the Abdou Moumouni University, Niger, from 1998 to 2000, and obtained numerous certificates in police and security related training.
Karimou first served the UN on behalf of his government as a member of the police force in the UN Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET), from 2000 to 2002.
Karimou was a Security Officer from 2005 to 2007 in the UN Operation in Burundi (ONUB) – which became the UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB) in 2006.
Colleagues recalled Karimou as a “positive, hardworking, honest and cheerful” person who got along well with his peers and was an integral part of the BINUB security team. He was “dedicated to work and always had a positive outlook even in difficult situations.”
A great friend and colleague said, “Karimou was one of those very special individuals one has the honour and privilege to meet and share life with through UN mission assignments. Karimou had a profound dedication to the UN values and principles ... He shared with all colleagues and friends his moral strength, his loyalty, his kindness, his outstanding sense of humour, his serenity and wisdom, his discretion. Karimou Ide was the one to call when in need of advice, someone to talk to and who would listen, someone to share a concern with.”
When Karimou was appointed Regional Security Officer in Ngozi, Burundi “he established the best Security Operation Office in the Mission,” said a close friend and colleague.
Another BINUB colleague said, “He proved to be a professional security officer and was well motivated in tackling challenging issues to reach desired goals.”
“He had extraordinary human qualities,” recalled a colleague from BINUB who called him a “brother and friend. He was always there to help those in need. Everybody loved him, both the internationals and locals.”
Karimou’s peers said he was a strong believer in family values and was a good husband and a caring father.
Karimou is survived by his wife Aminata and three children, a daughter, 16, and two sons, 12 and 9 years old.