Rwanda Defence Force-USA ACOTA discuss Peace Support Operations Experience

Rwanda Defence Force in collaboration with United States of America under Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) are conducting a two day workshop on peacekeeping operations at RDF Hqs, from 19 to 20 April 2015.

The workshop is aimed at reviewing the lessons learnt in Peace Support Operations (PSO), best practices and challenges in order to tailor peacekeeping training and instruction that meet the needs and requirement for future peacekeeping missions.

The annual event that takes stock of the last years’ experience for the RDF Forces who have served in missions abroad brings together Officials from RDF, US Embassy and Washington D.C.

While opening the Workshop, the RDF Chief of Defence Staff General Patrick Nyamvumba stressed the importance of incorporating the lessons learnt from Rwanda’s experience in the various Peacekeeping Missions, and called on all the Officers to remain committed to peace and security. He reassured Rwanda’s commitment to contribute to regional and international peace and security.

Participants to this workshop are sharing experience and lessons learnt in UNAMID, UNMISS and MINUSCA peace keeping missions.

Since May 2004, Rwanda participates in different peacekeeping missions under African Union-United Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) and United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

Rwanda currently maintains more than 5,500 peacekeepers in various missions and is presently ranked the 5th biggest troop and police contributor in peacekeeping operations in the world.

The Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program is funded and managed by the U.S. Department of State.

The initiative is designed to improve African militaries’ capabilities by providing selected training and equipment necessary for multinational peace support operations. U.S. Africa Command supports the ACOTA program by providing military mentors, trainers, and advisors at the request of the State Department.

The two day workshop which is bringing together RDF and US Military Officers will close on 20 April 2016.

Source: MoD

UM– USEKE.RW