The Police Commissioner for the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Serge Therriault has lauded the exemplary work exhibited by Rwandan Police peacekeepers in the Caribbean nation.
Therriault made the remarks on February 18 while visiting the Rwanda Formed Police Unit (RWAFPU5) base camp located in Jeremie Commune in Grand Anse region, where he inspected a Guard of Honour.
Serge Therriault inspects a guard of honour mounted by the Rwandan police peacekeepers in Haiti
He was received by the Contingent Commander, Commissioner of Police (CP) Bruce Munyambo, who briefed him on their activities and operations.
“Continue to lead by example and leave the well-deserved heritage of professionalism to the Haitian police,” Therriault said, while briefing the Rwandan peacekeepers.
He appreciated their high morale and professionalism exhibited and wished them success in their peacekeeping operations.
“I am counting much on you in stabilization of Haitian society,” he noted, urging them to “continue with the morale and the zeal I have witnessed.”
Therriault, who also inspected the RWAFPU5 hospital, commended its set up and the medical services accorded to MINUSTAH personnel and their role in local community policing and development activities.
Serge Therriault addresses the Rwandan Police peacekeepers
RNP maintains 145 peacekeepers in Haiti with 140 of them under FPU. Rwanda started its peacekeeping operations in Haiti in 2010 following the earthquake that left over 300, 000 people dead and about 1.6 million others homeless, in the same year.
Since then, the Rwandan peacekeepers, who introduced the home-grown monthly norm of community work – umuganda – have cleaned streets, renovated prisons, trenches and supported the vulnerable community.
Umuganda has also become a legacy in countries where Rwandan peacekeepers are involved. RNP currently maintains about 600 officers in eight missions which are Ivory Coast, Mali, CAR, South Sudan, Abyei, Sudan, Liberia and Haiti.