{The maiden Formed Police Unit (FPU1) contingent of 140 officers deployed in Mali in November last year returned home yesterday evening after successfully completing their one year mandate under the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).}
FPU1 led by Chief Supt. Bertin Mutezintare was received at Kigali International Airport by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations, Dan Munyuza.
The returned contingent was replaced by the same number, who also left to Mali earlier in the morning led by ACP Jean Baptiste Seminega.
The mandate of FPU include escort duties, protection of VIPs and UN personnel, crowd control and public order management and other duties in line with the mission mandate.
DIGP Munyuza thanked the officers for staying on course and for the commendable peacekeeping duties in Mali.
“You have been good ambassadors, performed your duties exceptionally well and that is justified by the medals you were awarded and the legacy you have left behind,” DIGP Munyuza said.
He urged them to use the skills they acquired to effect their duties professionally.
“We are happy to be back home…and to come back with honour. We have left behind a good image about Rwanda and it’s my conviction that our colleagues who have replaced us will build from where we stopped for the good of the people of Mali and Africa in general,” CSP Mutezintare said.
The FPU1 in Mali introduced food security awareness aimed at encouraging MINUSMA and local security organs to engage in various initiatives to assist vulnerable communities.
Out of the financial contribution of each of the Rwandan police officer, they supported orphans including paying their school fees for one year, gave them scholastic materials, among others.
He also noted that the officers halted insurgency in Kidal city where they also rescued UN personnel and provided free medical services to local population.
Mali is among the nine missions where Rwanda National Police (RNP) in now involved.
Other missions are Darfur, South Sudan, Ivory Cost, Haiti, Abey, Liberia, Liberia, Central Africa Republic and Guinea Bissau.
RNP currently maintains over 560 officers , both FPU and Individual Police Officers (IPOs).
RNP News
Leave a Reply