{Rwanda peacekeepers serving in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Rwandan Community in the Republic of South Sudan were joined by Special Representative of UN Secretary General Ms Ellen Margret Loej, UNMISS Officials and international staff to celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the Liberation of Rwanda. The colourful ceremony was held at Juba Tomping Base camp on 4 July 2015.}
The Rwandan Contingent Commander Lt Col John Muvunyi welcomed the guests and thanked them for coming. He underscored that Rwanda is celebrating the Liberation Day under the theme “Prosperity in Dignity/Twiteze imbere twihesha Agaciro”. 4th July 1994 is the date that the Genocide against the Tutsi that killed over one million people in 100 days was stopped by the Rwanda Patriotic Army, the military wing of Rwanda Patriotic Front.
“Liberation Day to us as Rwandans carries a lot of meaning as it was the re-birth of our Nation. It symbolises the courage, resilience and sacrifice made by Rwandans to liberate themselves from the genocidal regime that was characterized by terror and divisionism in our country”, he said.
He further noted that after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda resolved to contribute to international peace and security in Peacekeeping Missions. “Since 2004, Rwanda has risen to become one of the top providers of peacekeepers for both United Nations and African Union missions”.
In her remarks the UN Special Representative of Secretary General (SRSG) Madame Ellen Margret Loej who was also the Guest of Honor, delivered a message of solidarity to Rwandans on the National Liberation Day. “As Rwanda commemorates the 21st anniversary of liberation, let me, on behalf of the entire United Nations family in South Sudan, express our congratulations and solidarity with Rwandan People”, she said.
The SRSG thanked Rwanda peacekeepers for their contribution, good work and discipline. She thanked Rwanda for increasing the number of female peacekeepers in the United Nations Mission.
The SRSG congratulated Rwanda peacekeepers for Umuganda (community work) that is publicized widely in national media that has become a national identity and pride where they are deployed.
Rwanda is the fifth largest UN Troop and Police Contributing Country in UN Peacekeeping. Rwanda has 1,882 Personnel deployed in UNMISS composed of Contingent troops, Aviation Unit, Formed Police Unit, Individual Police and Military Observers.
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