The ninth contingent of 162 aviation personnel, including pilots, flight engineers, and logisticians will replace their colleagues who have completed their tour of duty under UNMISS.
The first batch of peacekeepers was airlifted from Kigali to Juba, South Sudan at 0600hrs and the same number arrived back home.
While briefing peacekeepers at Kigali International Airport on behalf of RDF leadership, Col Louis Kanobayire, urged the aviation personnel to maintain discipline and focus on the mission mandate.
“Be always guided by the RDF values, have team spirit and safeguard the good image of Rwanda by performing your mission at high standards”, he briefed the outgoing RDF peacekeepers.
The main tasks of the aviation unit include air patrols, reconnaissance and rescue operations, medical evacuation, troops transportation during regular rotations, and airlifting UN workers and their cargo among others.
Rwanda Aviation Unit 8 (RAU) Commander, Lt Col Christophe Semuhungu said that the RAU 8 tour of duty lasted for 14 months instead of twelve due to COVID-19 restrictions in troop rotations.
“In the past 14 months, RAU 8 successfully accomplished the mandated mission with no incident registered,” he said.
Rwanda Aviation Unit has its main base in Juba and a forward base in the northern South Sudanese city of Malakal.
The Rwanda Defence Force maintains three infantry battalions, Rwanda aviation unit with six helicopters serving in UNMISS in the Republic of South Sudan.
The medal parade held at the RWAFPU-3 base camp in the capital Juba, was presided over by the UNMISS Police Commissioner, Madam Unaisi Lutu Vaniwaqa.
The event, which was conducted in consideration of the recommended preventive measures against COVID-19, was also graced by host government authorities and other UN officials.
The UNMISS Police Commissioner thanked the decorated men and women for their dedication and commitment to peace.
The medal, she said, commemorates their service to UNMISS and more so to the people of South Sudan.
“I would like to convey the mission’s sincere gratitude to the Government of Rwanda for its commitment to the UN Peace Operations globally. Rwanda is the third largest contributor in UN Peacekeeping operations, and I am sure it’s a record all Rwandans are proud of,” Madam Vaniwaqa said.
The medal, she observed is a symbol of dedication and commitment for the entire operational task that the awardees have undertaken during their deployment.
“Thank you for your tireless efforts contributing to all efforts here in UNMISS especially for you serving here in Juba.”
RWAFPU-3 includes 80 women. This uniqueness, the Police Commissioner said, is their “strength” to contribute as women standing side-by-side with their male colleagues and most importantly their contribution, as women, to UN Police Women’s Network and Gender Responsive Policing.
Their experience, she said, should encourage other female colleagues back home in this journey to be peace ambassadors.
She commended the decorated officers for their “teamwork and obedience to the call to fulfill all that was required of this contingent here in UNMISS.”
Madam Vaniwaqa challenged them to maintain the “zero tolerance to sexual exploitation and abuse.”
She further urged them to maintain their commitment to serve the people of South Sudan especially the vulnerable ones, with dignity and respect.
“Coronavirus pandemic has changed almost everything but not the service, sacrifice and selflessness of men and women in RWAFPU 3. It is, indeed, our individual and collective responsibility to maintain the dignity of people whom we are here to protect.
We must always uphold the high standard of integrity and professionalism in our work and ask that you pass this message to those who, soon, will be here to take over from you.”
“Although you still have a short period remaining in your tour-of-duty, we salute you today for your hard work in support of the UN Mission in South Sudan and we thank you for your service. You have made me proud, made us all proud and you are worthy ambassadors of your country and the United Nations.”
Speaking on behalf of the medalists, RWAFPU-3 contingent commander, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jackline Urujeni, thanked the UNMISS leadership and the entire mission family including peacekeepers from other contributing countries, for their support, cooperation and guidance.
She thanked the officers under her command, for their hard work, professionalism, discipline and resilience as well as their continuous commitment to achieve the mission mandate.
The medals, she said, motivate them to renew their commitment to fulfill the tasks ahead in order to bring durable peace “to our brothers and sisters” in South Sudan.
“Today marks another achievement in our service to humanity; we have now completed more than 15 months of hard work, at times challenging and very demanding, yet fulfilling.
On that note, I also acknowledge our friendly stakeholders that were always there, supporting RWAFPU-3 operationally and administratively making our tasks much easier to successfully complete our assigned tasks. For that, this medal is dedicated to you all,” SSP Urujeni acknowledged.
She noted that through cohesion and teamwork, they managed to contain the spread of COVID-19 within their unit as they continued to execute their mission mandate.
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The medal parade coincided with the rotation of another contingent; RWAFPU-2, also serving under UNMISS.
RWAFPU-2 under the command of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Carlos Kabayiza occupied the stands of the similar unit, which safely returned home later the same day after 18 months in their tour-of-duty.
The officers, who came back home aboard the national carrier, RwandAir, were received at Kigali International Airport by Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, Commissioner for Public Relations and Media, on behalf of Rwanda National Police (RNP) leadership.
On arrival at Kigali International Airport, the unit was taken through the compulsory COVID-19 prevention measures, including the disinfection process, ensuring that they dispose of safely their hand cloves and facemasks, and are given new ones as well as sanitizing their hands.
All this was done in consideration of physical distancing.
The contingent will also be tested for COVID-19 and quarantined for at least 14 days.
CP Kabera thanked the officers, who returned home, for their bravery and selfless service, despite the challenges, especially those posed by the pandemic of novel Coronavirus.
“Due to the shortcomings brought about by COVID-19, this contingent, which was supposed to serve for one year, had to confront all the challenges to selflessly serve for 18 months. We salute them for not relenting in their mandate even in such hard times,” CP Kabera said.
This comes days after the number of new infections was declining, creating a glimmer of hope that the pandemic could be subsiding across the country.
The Ministry of Health on Friday reported 5 new cases out of 963 new tests conducted, taking the total number of cases to 4,890, while the number of recoveries on the same day is 13.
In Rwanda, 514,081 sample testes have so far been taken, with 4890 confirmed cases. Of these, 3555 have recovered while 1305 are still active cases.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are required to continue to comply with government regulations, especially with frequent washing of hands and water and soap, wearing masks when leaving home or in public.
A medical team under Rwanda Formed Police Unit Three (RWAFPU-3) has started training and equipping the local Police with First Aid skills.
On Wednesday, October 7, Rwandan Police medical doctors led by RWAFPU-3 contingent commander, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jackline Urujeni trained 32 South Sudan Police officers on First Aid and response to emergency cases.
The basic training held at Juba Grand Hotel also included personnel from community policing and reform pillars.
The theory and practical session held under the theme ‘Public Order Management in relation to human rights’ focused on responding to breathing difficulties, bleeding and fractures.
The training was conducted in consideration of all COVID-19 prevention measures such as social distancing, wearing of facemask, washing and sanitizing hands as well as wearing gloves.
SSP Urujeni reminded the trainees the urgency of fighting sexual and gender based violence, and child abuse as well as the overall security of people and their property.
She noted that world over, women and girls continue to be abused and that protecting them is the duty of law enforcement organs along with other responsible institutions.
“To effectively ensure public order as our mandate, we must fully understand orders and directives in enforcement and keep observing and protecting human rights with special consideration on women and children, because they are most vulnerable. Officers must bear that in mind during the management of public order, or any other police operations” SSP Urujeni said.
Participants thanked the Rwandan peacekeepers for the productive workshop, emphasizing its importance to their policing and security career.
On hand to receive the PPE at World Food Programme on behalf of the government of Rwanda, was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The equipment provided include hand sanitizers, hand washing stations, liquid hand washing soap, infrared thermometer, re-usable safety boots, full protective PPE, filtering facepiece respirator, reusable masks, plastic face shield, disposable gloves, hand sanitiser dispensers and disinfectant spray bottles.
Speaking during the handover event the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry. lauded the citizens and businesses in Rwanda for their strong compliance with the health protocols issued by the government. The minister said this is paying a huge divided with comparatively lower infection and mortality rates in Rwanda as compared to many African nations.
‘It is clear, we must not relent and must continue all working together, to defeat the virus. Equally important as we fight the pandemic is the need to sustain our economy and seek to recover the lost ground. The PPE provided by TradeMark EA is very crucial in ensuring safe trade continue in and out of our borders’ said the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The equipment presented today will enhance the safety and working condition of front-line workers in key borders, which are critical arteries of trade in and out of Rwanda and her neighbours. Among the borders where the PPE will be distributed are Rusumo, Kagitumba, Rubavu and Rusizi 11.
TradeMark East Africa Country Director for Rwanda Patience Mutesi underscored the need for the country to safeguard and boost her trade and economy amidst efforts to contain the Corona Pandemic
‘At TradeMark we have witnessed over the last decade of our work in Rwanda, how trade is able to present great opportunities and lift the standards of living of our people in a sustainable way. Regrettably, the ongoing pandemic has slowed down the wheel of trade especially at the borders, threatening to reverse the huge gains we have made over the years. The equipment we’ve presented today will ensure that trade can continue unhindered in our borders without allowing cross border Covid-19 infections’ said Mutesi.
The TMEA Country Director further revealed that the equipment donated today is part of the Safe Trade Emergency Facility, a US$ 23 million emergency program rolled out by TradeMark East Africa in the East African region in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic that seeks to ensure regional economies continue to trade in a safe way, while curbing cross-border infections.
At least eleven petrol stations were robbed of over Rwf10 million, combined, in the eight districts of Bugesera, Muhanga, Musanze, Kamonyi, Ngororero, Rubavu, Rutsiro and Karongi.
The robberies were carried out between July and September, during which six computer laptops and eight smartphones were also stolen in the process.
The eight suspects were shown to the media on Thursday, October 8, at Metropolitan Police Headquarters in Remera.
They are identified as Alfred Bikorimana alias Bucura, Jean Eric Byukusenge, Emmanuel Habumuremyi; Marc Ishimwe alias Mike, Aimable Kwibuka alias Hamis, Faustin Muberuka alias Bihehe; Joseph Ndagijimana and Sosthene Ndahimana alias Niyomadago.
Sosthene Ndahimana is the alleged ringleaders and coordinator of the ring.
They are part of the cohort of 14 people belonging to the same gang, who have so far been arrested in separate Police operations against the coordinated robberies.
Ndahimana said that he joined the gang back in April and recalls nine robberies he successfully coordinated at nine different petrol stations.
He narrated that they normally attacked in a group of between four and six people armed with machetes, iron bars, sticks and stones.
“We usually first observed and conducted enough surveillance at the targeted petrol station, and security loopholes are almost similar; there is always one security guard, who is unarmed, and a pump attendant. At around 1 am, we attack as a group from all sides, each of us with a torch, which scares away the security guard,” Ndahimana told the media.
He added: “As the security guard is running away, he causes alarm calling for help and the moment the pump attendant comes for the rescue and opens the door, some people are always there to confine him and immediately enter the room where money and other valuables are kept.”
Ndagijimana, another suspected robber, confirmed Ndahimana’s narrative, adding that stones would also be thrown at anyone who dared to intervene or come for rescue.
“We all live in different places. Niyomadago (Ndahimana) calls us the day before the attack and pays for our transport fares in case any of us has no money. We all meet up in a certain district by 7 pm, find a lodge to stay in until 1 am when we go to attack, and by morning, we part ways and never talk to each other until there is a new deal.”
Francis Karera is the Business Development Manager of Mount Meru petroleum Rwanda. Their stations in Bugesera and Kamonyi were attacked by the same group.
“Thieves came to one of our stations, destroyed our safe, took all the money and destroyed many things including window glasses. At first, we thought our staff had given a hand in the incident, because we had never heard of such theft anywhere.
We then reported the case to RIB (Rwanda Investigation Bureau).”
Karera added that just a few days after, their other station was robbed and similar robberies reported at petrol stations belonging to other companies; that is when they learned it was a ring of robbers behind it.
Mount Meru petrol station in Kamonyi District was robbed of Rwf1 million on August 23, while the same petrol station branch in Bugesera was robbed of Rwf900,000 and four handsets in the night of August 17.
On September 22, the gang allegedly attacked and robbed Sante Comfortable Petrol Station in Musanze District of over Rwf2 million, a computer laptop and three handsets.
They had earlier on August 29, robbed Hashi Energy Petrol Station also in Musanze of Rwf600,000 and three computers.
Two similar robberies occurred in Muhanga District; on September 11, at Hass Petroleum Petrol station where Rwf2.5 million were stolen and earlier on September 3, at SP petrol station where thieves stole Rwf6,500,000.
RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said the police will never tire from protecting the people and business from such dangerous people who decide to make money from criminal acts.
“These are young people, who could learn new skills or do something better… they should not be in these serious crimes. If they are convicted in court, the repercussions of this crime will not be worth it, at all. People should learn from such cases and choose legal paths of making money,” CP Kabera.
Article 170 in the new penal code states that “any person, who carries out theft with a weapon, commits armed robbery.”
If convicted for armed robbery committed by more than one person or a group, the penalty is imprisonment for a term of not less than fifteen (15) years and not more than twenty (20) years and a fine of not less than Rwf5 million and not more than Rwf7 million.
The officers under Formed Police Unit Two (FPU-2) contingent are commanded by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Carlos Kabayiza.
They are scheduled to depart this Friday to replace another contingent, which operates in Juba and expected back home later the same day after a successful 18 month tour-of-duty.
At least 20 percent of the contingent set to be deployed, are women.
The pre-deployment briefing held at Police Training School (PTS) in Gishari was conducted under strict COVID-19 prevention measures such as social distancing, wearing facemask and washing hands.
Also present at the briefing was the Deputy IGP in charge of Administration and Personnel, Juvenal Marizamunda and commissioners in RNP.
IGP Munyuza reminded the officers that being a Rwandan supersedes their individual names, ranks and the unit as it guides them on what they stand for in any national duty.
“Time has come, after six months of training, for you to take up another big national task of creating impact in bringing about peace and security for the people of South Sudan. You had the best training and in a conductive environment, what remain are your seriousness, discipline and commitment in executing what you were trained to do,” IGP Munyuza told the officers.
He urged them to value the given tasks, aim higher, respect, support and guide each other adding that “there is no tolerance for indiscipline.”
“Protect the Rwandan image, which can be tainted by the character and actions of one individual officer. You are replacing a unit that is highly credited for its maximum discipline and professionalism; protect that legacy and further build on it.”
The Police Chief further reminded them of their duty to protect civilians and their property, which equally requires their respect for diversity and resilience in any challenging situations.
“Always have constructive ideas and deeds that bring your colleagues and the entire unit to collective understanding and professional performance. RNP must be defined by maximum discipline and professional character as set in the guidance by His Excellency Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda; nothing less.”
The IGP emphasized that the set professional line must be maintained. He urged the officers to always be fit for their good health, ensure proper hygiene and proper maintenance of their equipment.
The contingent will be deployed after 14 days in quarantine and having tested negative for COVID-19 and given certificates.
According to the update, Rwanda has now 4885 confirmed cases (including two new), of which 3542 have recovered (including 134 new ones), while the number of active cases is now 1314. So far Twenty-nine people have succumbed to the pandemic
The number of sample test taken since the outbreak have reached 513 118 (with new measurements 1935).
The ministry said that of the new COVID-19 cases are one from Kigali City and another from Karongi District.
The number of people recovering continues to rise as the number of infections decreases, at least in the past two days about 296 have recovered while the new cases are 12.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are required to continue to comply with government regulations, especially with frequent washing of hands and water and soap, wearing masks when leaving home or in public.
The refugees left the Mahama camp Yesterday at 6:30 a.m., heading for the Rwandan-Burundian border of Nemba in Bugesera District where they were due to enter their country.
This batch goes following more than 595 others returning earlier this month, including those in the Mahama camp of 452 and 143 others from the cities. The group that left on Thursday is the fifth since the resettlement of refugees began. 2606 have now returned.
When the first batch of refugees returned on August 27, the President of Burundi, Gen Maj Evaritse Ndayishimiye, welcomed them and asked for the rest to return.
“We welcome our relatives who have returned from exile in Mahama. It is a great joy for their families and for Burundi. The authorities were asked to support them in every possible way and return them to their families. We encourage others who want to return, Burundi is ours. Welcome to our home,” he said.
However, not all the Burundian refugees in Rwanda, who are about 72, 000, have expressed willingness to return, with one section saying that the conditions are not yet convincing, despite the country’s new President Maj. Gen Evariste Ndayishimiye declaring, upon taking office in June, that doors were open for refugees to freely return.
Majority of the refugees fled the country following the political crisis that gripped Burundi in 2015 when the then President, the late Pierre Nkurunziza decided to seek a third term, leading to countrywide protests as people opposed the move.
BASA is an international agreement to promote international trade through air transport.
Hadi Sirika, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, made the disclosure via his official Twitter handle on Tuesday night.
“I am glad to announce that President has signed the instruments of ratification of the bilateral air service agreement between Nigeria and USA, India, Morocco, and Rwanda,” Sirika said.
The new agreement is to enable free movement of commercial flights among the countries involved.
Airlines from all four countries operate in Nigeria, and the Nigerian Flag carrier, Air Peace, has been designated to reciprocate on both the American and Indian routes.
Nigeria has signed numerous BASAs in the past, with few reciprocated.
