The contingent will participate in peace-keeping operations, and women and child protection activities in particular.
The peace-keepers who will serve under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) set off at Kigali International Airport Wednesday with 144 female Police Officers joining 16 others who went in advance.
The deployment follows President Paul Kagame’s pledge in the United Nations Leader’s summit on peacekeeping operations that took place in New York in September 2015.
The Contingent Commandant, ACP Teddy Ruyenzi said that having the female formed unit has particular meaning in the mission.
“The responsibilities we will perform are always there for UNMISS, but our special particularity as women contingent will be to help women and children. As you know those categories are the victims of violence and conflicts that are taking place in that country. It also implies that women are capable to perform all jobs,” she said.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Juvenal Marizamunda said that South Sudan endures conflicts and people were displaced from their properties to the extent whih they need special protection and security.
“The United Nations needs Army and Police assistance in protecting security of people in camps. Police protect them from external threats and any emerging crimes from inside the camps,” he said.
“The reason behind female contingent is because the camps are dominated by women, children and elderly people, female Police Officers offer them special attention than men can do,” he added.
While briefing the Police Officers yesterday at Police Headquarters in Kacyiru, DIGP Dan Munyuza said that the contingent was well trained and are fully equipped to perform well their responsibilities.
He urged them to maintain discipline of the force and exhibit professionalism in supporting in trouble.
Rwanda has over 1000 Police peacekeepers in different missions including Haiti, Central African Republic and South Sudan.
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