RDF Peacekeepers in pre-deployment military exercise awaiting taking-off to CAR
The first batch of RDF infantry Mechanised battalion of peacekeepers on Thursday was airlifted to the Central African Republic (CAR) for peace keeping mission.
The heavily armed peacekeepers that departed at around 9:35am aboard US Air force C-17 from Kigali International Airport to CAR are part of the 850 personnel under the command of Lt Col Jean Paul Karangwa that will be sent to the war torn country.
The departure was witnessed by top RDF leaders led by Chief of Defense Forces, Gen.Patrick Nyamvumba and US ambassador to Rwanda, Donald W. Koran.
Speaking to journalists, RDF spokesperson Brig.Gen Joseph Nzabamwita said that the battalion of peacekeepers going to CAR is different from other RDF peacekeepers around the World, based on the situation in CAR.
“We are sending an infantry mechanized battalion of peacekeepers who are heavily armed with weapons. Their mandate is to operate under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter and this means that they will be charged with protecting the population, restoring peace and disarming the enemy-which will in some cases involve the use of weapons,” he said.
Peacekeeping and the 20th commemoration of genocide
In an interview with journalists, RDF spokesperson Brig.Gen.Joseph Nzabamwita said that the deployment of RDF peacekeepers to CAR has a hand in the ongoing 20th commemoration of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi.
“While the World abandoned Rwandans when they were going through a horrific genocide but later liberated themselves, the deployment of RDF peacekeepers during the 20th commemoration of genocide against Tutsi sends a clear picture to the World that Rwandans are determined to lend a helping hand in peace keeping missions around the World. Our mission is to protect people from suffering within and outside the country,” he said.
Some of the Military hardware that will be used for the peacekeeping mission in CAR
The deployment follows a request by the African Union to the Republic of Rwanda for peacekeeping contribution to MISCA in order to achieve its mandate to:
Protect civilians, restore security and public order; stabilise the country and restore state authority; support reform and restructuring of the defence and security; and create conducive conditions to the provision of humanitarian assistance to the population in need.
Rwandan deployment to MISCA follows a decision of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of African Union held on 19 July 2013 and the United Nations Security Council’s Resolution 2017 (2013) of 5 December 2013 which authorised the establishment and deployment of MISCA.
Within a period of 20 days, according to RDF spokesperson, the US Military aircraft (C-17) will airlift the 850 peacekeepers to Bangui.
RDF hails Rwanda-US relations
The communiqué from RDF quotes Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba as saying that “The existing cooperation between Rwanda and the US Government in Peacekeeping Operations is a cornerstone for concerted efforts to ensure that peace and security is restored in the region and beyond. Rwanda Defence Force reiterates its sincere gratitude to the US for the invaluable support in providing strategic airlift and associated logistic support for the deployment of the Peacekeeping Force to CAR.”
The US ambassador to Rwanda, Donald W. Koran said that the cooperation between the United States and Rwanda is just the latest example of the strongest peacekeeping relationships in the region.
“The United States government is pleased to work with Rwanda on our shared goal of making sure the people of Central African Republic have a chance to live safe, secure and productive lives,” he said.
Although MISCA is a new mission, the RDF continues to participate in other missions under African Union-United Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
Rwanda currently maintains more than 4,000 peacekeepers in various missions and is presently ranked the 6th biggest troop contributor in peacekeeping operations in the world.