A memorial mass has been held for force commander and head of mission for United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), Major General Francis Vib-Sanziri at his town at Nandom Guo in the Upper West Region.

Major General Vib-Sanziri aged 61 died on April 19 in Israel. 

The body of Major General Francis Vib Sanziri was flown into the country and given a state burial at the new military cemetery at Burma Camp last week.

But it is now the turn of his holy village, Guo to perform the traditional funeral rites.

Upper West Correspondent, Rafiq Salam reports that it was a solemn occasion for the people of Nandom-Guo as they said goodbye to one of their illustrious sons.

Major General Vib- Sanziri was appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres in October 2017 to head the multinational force.

Prior to his appointment to the UN, he was the Director General of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) from 2015-2017.

COP Beatrice Zakpaa Vib-Sanziri is the late Major General’s widow

Little wonder then that his funeral attracted high profile personality attendance. 

Interior Minister and Member of Parliament for Nandom, Ambrose Dery, Chief of the Defense Staff, Lieutenant General Obed Akwa, Chief of Army Staff, Major General William Azure Ayamdo and other high ranking personnel from the military and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) were in attendance.

There was also a slew of old and continuing students of Lawra Senior High School where the general attended and was known for his great sportsmanship.

Maj. Gen. Vib-Sanziri’s smoke 

The repose of Maj. Gen. Vib Sanziri was supposed to lie in state Nandom Guo for locals to pay their last respect but because he was buried a couple of weeks ago, under the customs and norms of the people his smock and uniform were used to fill the void.

Archbishop of Tamale, Most Reverend Philip Naameh led that memorial mass tasked the people of Nandom Guo to “emulate his virtues of total service to mankind and not only to his family but to the nation and the international community.”

There was no space for tributes, but the posture of his wife, Commissioner of Police (COP) Beatrice Zakpaa Vib-Sanziri said it all.

His military uniform

She will miss the man she simply called officer and who has been the apple of her eyes since their tom brown school days 44 years ago

Throughout the memorial mass, she had her hands crossed, lying on her laps and face pointed down with occasional peeps on the picture and uniform of her husband - a reminder of his generosity, humility, charisma and sense of humour

Major General Francis Vib-Sanziri is survived by his wife and two daughters.