{{A contingent of 140 Police officers will on July 2 depart for one-year peacekeeping operations under the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).}}
The contingent under Formed Police Unit (FPU V) headed by Chief Supt. Freddie Murenzi includes 17 females.
It is the fifth FPU rotation since RNP started to deploy in Haiti to support humanitarian activities and build peace and stability following the 2010 devastating earthquake that wrecked the country causing massive damage and loss of lives.
They will replace other 140 officers who successfully completed their one year mandate in the Caribbean nation and are scheduled to return home on July 4.
The Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, during the pre-deployment briefing at the force’s headquarters in Kacyiru on June 30, challenged the officers to stay focused to the mission mandate.
To keep the Rwandan flag high, IGP Gasana said, requires maximum discipline, professionalism and to uphold the Rwanda values and that of the force in particular.
“You are going to Haiti to build on what your colleagues did with integrity and patriotism so maintain that spirit and be good ambassadors,” the Police Chief said.
He said Rwanda remains committed to bring about peace and stability including sharing best experience and expertise with Police forces in other countries.
The Rwanda National Police, at the request of UN, is also scheduled to deploy other two contingents to South Sudan and Central African Republic before the end of this year.
“Rwanda was able to reach this far because of the good leadership spearheaded by President Paul Kagame and dignity of Rwandans has been restored, so don’t tarnish this image,” he noted.
The contingent commander, Chief Supt. Murenzi also said they will take Rwanda’s success stories in policing and even human security, to help both Haitians and the local Police force.
The Rwandan officers will also support in building the capacity of the Haitian National Police.
The RNP peacekeeping operations started in 2005 and over 2000 Police officers have served in various missions.
Rwanda currently maintains about 600 police officers in eight peacekeeping missions. The missions are Darfur, South Sudan, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Abyei and Haiti.
RNP
Leave a Reply