PROXIMITY COMMANDERS’ MEETING BETWEEN RDF AND TPDF CONVENES IN TANZANIA TO ADDRESS CROSS-BORDER MATTERS

Commanders from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) convened in Karagwe District for the 15th Proximity Commanders’ Security Meeting, aimed at addressing cross-border security challenges and strengthening bilateral cooperation.

The three-day meeting, taking place from 24 to 26 March 2026, brings together the RDF 5th Infantry Division and the TPDF 202 Infantry Brigade, whose areas of responsibility lie along the shared border between Rwanda and Tanzania.

The RDF delegation is led by Major General Ruki Karusisi, Commander of the 5th Infantry Division, while the TPDF delegation is headed by Brigadier General Gabriel Elias Kwiligwa, Commander of the 202 Infantry Brigade.

On the first day, commanders conducted joint field visits to key border areas to assess prevailing security challenges and engage with local communities. The visits focused on raising awareness about the dangers of illegal border crossings and unlawful fishing activities in shared water bodies.

The delegations visited border communities including Nyarubare and Katwe villages in Kyerwa District, as well as Nyakakoni Village in Kayisho Sector on the Tanzanian side, opposite Rwanda’s Rwimiyaga Sector. These areas are characterized by porous borders, with lakes, rivers, and swamps—particularly the Akagera River frequently used for unauthorized crossings.

Commanders identified these locations as hotspots for smuggling and other illicit cross-border activities, emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen preventive measures and enhance joint efforts to curb illegal movements and improve overall border security.