140 Rwandan Police Officers Return After UN Mission

 

On the evening of Tuesday, June 10, a contingent of 140 Rwandan police officers, known as RWAPSU1-9, returned home after completing a one-year peacekeeping mission under the United Nations in the Central African Republic. The officers had been serving as part of the MINUSCA operation, dedicated to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

A new rotation of Rwandan police officers, known as RWAPSU1-10 and led by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) James Karasi, departed from Kigali on Tuesday morning, heading to Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, to begin their peacekeeping mission. They replaced the previous contingent, RWAPSU1-9, who returned to Rwanda later that evening after completing a year-long deployment under the United Nations peacekeeping mission (MINUSCA).

Commissioner of Police (CP) Yahya Kamunuga, who heads the Police’s Peace Support Operations (PSO) unit, accompanied the new team to Kigali International Airport. He commended their dedication and discipline during the preparation process and officially welcomed the returning officers led by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Ildephonse Rutagambwa.

The RWAPSU unit is tasked with the protection of high-level officials in both the Central African Republic government and the United Nations, including the Prime Minister, the Minister of Justice, the Speaker of Parliament, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) and their two deputies, as well as the Head of the UN Police (UNPOL).

CSP Rutagambwa also highlighted the community development initiatives carried out by his team during their mission. In addition to providing security for key leaders, they actively contributed to the well-being of local communities through various humanitarian efforts. These included community clean-up drives (Umuganda), voluntary blood donations, distribution of free medication to vulnerable residents, and provision of clean water for hygiene purposes.

In addition to the RWAPSU unit based in Bangui, Rwanda maintains three other police contingents in the Central African Republic. RWAFPU-1 also operates in Bangui, while RWAFPU-2 is stationed in Kaga Bandoro, over 300 kilometers from the capital, and RWAFPU-3 is deployed in Bangassou, located approximately 725 kilometers from Bangui.

Commissioner of Police (CP) Yahya Kamunuga, head of Rwanda Police’s Peace Support Operations (PSO) unit, was present at Kigali International Airport to oversee the handover. He praised the dedication, discipline, and professionalism exhibited by both the outgoing and incoming contingents. CP Kamunuga officially welcomed back the returning officers, led by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Ildephonse Rutagambwa, while encouraging the new team to continue the legacy of excellence.

The RWAPSU unit’s primary responsibility is the protection of key officials within the CAR government and the United Nations. Their security mandate includes safeguarding high-level figures such as the Prime Minister, the Minister of Justice, the Speaker of Parliament, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) and their deputies, as well as the Head of the UN Police (UNPOL). This critical role helps ensure the smooth functioning of governance and international operations amid a complex security environment.

Beyond their security duties, CSP Rutagambwa emphasized the RWAPSU team’s active involvement in community development initiatives throughout their deployment. The officers engaged in several humanitarian efforts that positively impacted the lives of local residents in Bangui and surrounding areas.

Among these initiatives were community clean-up campaigns (Umuganda) aimed at improving sanitation and public health, voluntary blood donation drives to support local medical facilities, the distribution of free medications to vulnerable populations, and the provision of clean water to promote hygiene. These actions reflect Rwanda’s holistic approach to peacekeeping, which integrates security with social development to build sustainable peace.

Rwanda’s commitment to peace and security in the Central African Republic extends beyond RWAPSU1-10. The country maintains a robust police presence with three additional contingents deployed in key regions:

• RWAFPU-1 operates alongside RWAPSU units in Bangui, providing additional support in the capital.

• RWAFPU-2 is stationed in Kaga Bandoro, a strategic location approximately 300 kilometers from Bangui, focusing on regional stability.

• RWAFPU-3 is deployed in Bangassou, roughly 725 kilometers from Bangui, where security challenges remain high.

Together, these contingents contribute to the overall peacekeeping efforts coordinated by MINUSCA, reflecting Rwanda’s unwavering dedication to regional stability and international peace.