Rwanda has so far deployed more than 470 Officers and Men of the 850 Mechanized Infantry battalion (RwaMechBatt1) of Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) in Central African Republic to serve in the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA). The airlift operation jointly conducted with United States Air Force began on 16 January 2014 using two C-17 aircraft per day, lifting both troops and equipment.
Upon arrival in Bangui on 16 January, RwaBMechBatt1 Commander, Lt Col JP Karangwa and his troops were welcomed by the MISCA Force Commander, Brigadier Gen. Martin Tumenta, MISCA and French Officers. The civilian population turned up in big numbers and the RDF troops immediately started interacting with the population, before embarking on duty immediately conducting patrols and protection duties.
The RwaMechBatt1 was assigned North Bangui Sector within the MISCA AOR. Apart from conducting patrols, the Rwandan troops are guarding strategic installations in North Bangui including the Airport and Key Institutions like The Presidency Office and his Palace as well as the Parliament where elections to vote the Interim President of the CAR are taking place today.
“I wish you a warm welcome and the Mission expects from you the ultimate contribution to bringing peace and stability in the Central African Republic”, said Brigadier General Martin Tumenta to the arriving Rwandan troops.
When asked to comment on Rwandans contribution to end violence in CAR, Col. Leon Ndong-Ntutume, Spokesman of the MISCA told the media that Rwandan peacekeepers will work together with other Peacekeepers; “That’s not to say that only the Rwandans who have experienced genocide in their country are responsible for stopping the slaughter in Central African Republic.”
In Central African Republic, violence between Christians and Muslims has left more than 1,000 people dead and 1 million of displaced persons.
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