{The Inspector General of Police Emmanuel K. Gasana on Wednesday hailed police peacekeepers for exhibiting extreme discipline and professionalism which has made Rwanda a world model.}
IGP Gasana made the remarks as he briefed a contingent of 160 peacekeepers set to depart for United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Minustah).The officers under Rwanda Formed Police Unit (RWAFPU VI) include 25 females.
The officers are expected to the begin rotation on July 6.
RWAFPU VI which is headed by Commissioner of Police Joseph Mugisha is replacing RWAFPU V headed CP Bruce Munyambo and returning home with a record or exceptional performance and UN medals for their outstanding and professional services in the Caribbean nation.
During the pre-deployment briefing at the Rwanda National Police headquarters in Kacyiru, IGP Gasana lectured the officers on professionalism and asked them to be fully committed to their work as they will be representing the image of Rwanda.
“You will be working alongside other countries; focus on executing your mission and uphold the Rwandan pride and spirit,” the Police Chief said.
He went on to tell the officers that the way they execute the peacekeeping mission reflects the image of Rwanda on international arena and Rwanda National Police has a reputation of force integrity, professionalism and discipline that must be maintained.
“You should keep in mind the core values of RNP. Our brand is service, protection and integrity and our responsibility is to serve Rwandans and citizens of the world with these values,” he said.
The mandate of Rwanda police officers in Haiti is to support humanitarian activities, peace building and to build the capacity of the Haitian National Police.
According to the contingent commander, CP Mugisha, the force is set for deployment and its preparedness has been confirmed by the UN inspectors.
“We underwent a detailed deployment course and between June 8 to June 12, a team of UN inspectors were at Police Training School (PTS) in Gishari assessing our preparedness for the mission and they indeed approved us,” Mugisha said.
Rwanda maintains close to 700 officers in seven peacekeeping missions.
Under the Rwanda Formed Police Units (RWAFPU) peacekeepers are deployed in Haiti, and Central African Republic while Individual Police Officers (IPOs) are deployed in Darfur, South Sudan, in Abyei (A disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan that is under UN protection), Ivory Coast and Liberia. There is also a police officer at the UN Headquarters, which can be considered as a peace keeping mission.
RNP deployed its first peacekeepers to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) in 2005. They were 49 officers in total. Since then, the force has emerged as one of the largest and most effective peacekeepers in the world, contributing close to 700 officers currently.
In a recent interview, Police Commissioner for Peace Support Operations, ACP Jimmy Hodari said that Rwanda’s contribution to peacekeeping missions has led to the creation of peace in the mission areas, whereby, officers have been well noted for their professionalism and openness to helping residents.
This contribution led to several nominations of Rwandans to senior posts in missions, which indicate the level of trust that has been built over the course of years.
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