Rwanda Peacekeepers firmly protected civilians in Darfur

{The final batch of 130 troops of 31 Infantry Battalion of the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) who were serving in AU/ UN Hybrid Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), Sudan arrived on 20 November 2014 at 1900Hrs aboard RwandAir. The 31 Infantry Battalion was deployed in Kabkabiya, Salufmra and El Salif in the north of Darfur.}

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, the Commanding Officer, Lt Col Kitoko Kadida said that the mission was a success?. “Our mission was to protect civilians which we accomplished well”. He added that during their tour of duty they experienced threats from Armed Groups attacking Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in AL Salam. Ethnic conflicts among the communities forced thousands of people to flee their homes to Salufumra IDPs. In both situations Rwanda peacekeepers intervened and saved the lives of people.

Lt Col Kitoko said that the security in Kabkabiya is unpredictable and still volatile but with “current international efforts I hope the situation will stabilise”. Rwanda peacekeepers supported the population with water and medical treatment.

On behalf of RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Brig Gen Johnson Hodari and other Senior Officers welcomed the peacekeepers. He thanked them for the job well done characterised by high level of discipline during their tour of duty. Gen Hodari urged them to uphold the discipline which is the foundation of all achievements by Rwanda Defence Forces.

The last chalk of 55 Infantry Battalion troops that replaced 31 Infantry Battalion in UNAMID was airlifted on 20 November 2014 by the same RwandAir flight that brought home 31 Infantry Battalion.

Rwanda, the fifth biggest troop contributing country in the world, began the relief in place operation on 6 November 2014, for the 5,000 RDF peacekeepers deployed in UNAMID in Sudan, UNMISS in South Sudan and MINUSCA in Central African Republic. The relief in place operation, utilising Rwanda national carrier, Rwanda Air is expected to conclude on 15 February 2015 after transporting over 10,000 troops.

MOD