On April 1, the United Nations awarded service medals to 280 Rwandan Police peacekeepers serving under its Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
The decorated officers constitute two contingents; Rwanda Formed Police Unit (FPU) and a Protection Support Unit (PSU).
Others are Individual Police Officers (IPOs), who serve as Police advisors and mentors.
The medal pinning ceremony held in the capital Bangui was presided over by Lizbeth CULLITY, the deputy Special Representative for the UN Secretary General.
Present was also the Head of MINUSCA Police Component, Christophe BIZIMUNGU, government officials and representatives from other contributing countries.
Cullity thanked Rwanda for its continued commitment to peacekeeping and peace restoration efforts around the world.
“We commend Rwanda for its role in the United Nations peacekeeping operations to provide troops to assist the UN in its efforts to maintain and restore peace in various countries,” said Cullity.
She lauded the discipline, professionalism and resilience of the decorated Police officers adding that the medal defines their great contribution to security, safety and peace in CAR
Cullity pledged that MINUSCA and the United Nations in general will continue to work with Rwanda in the pursuit for global peace.
MINUSCA Police Commissioner, CP Christophe Bizimungu also praised the discipline, commitment and professionalism that defined the decorated officers during their tour-of-duty.
“You have done your work with professionalism and courage to fulfill the MINUSCA assignments. UNPOL recognizes that and will always provide any support required for the effectiveness of your peacekeeping operations,” said CP Bizimungu.
Rwanda started to deploy Police peacekeepers in CAR in 2014. Since then, more than 3,000 Rwandan police officers have so far made their contribution to peace building under the rotational basis.
Rwanda currently has three Police contingents, including two FPUs and a Protection Support Unit.
One FPU and a PSU operates in the capital Bangui while another FPU contingent is deployed in Kaga-Bandoro, about 400 kilometers from the capital Bangui.
FPUs specializes in public order management, delivery of humanitarian assistance, escort duties and protection of UN facilities.
PSU undertakes special duties such as protection for VIPs, including protection of the SRSG, his two deputies, the Prime Minister of CAR, President of the National Assembly, Minister of Justice and the Head of MINUSCA Police Component, among others.
