Rwanda Peace Academy (RPA) hosts Peace Support Operations Logistics Course

Musanze, 19 November 2018

A “Peace Support Operations (PSO) Logistics Course” started today Monday, 19 November 2018 at the Rwanda Peace Academy (RPA) training facility in Musanze in the Northern Province and will run up to 30 November 2018.

The aim of the course is to enhance participants’ knowledge and understanding of the role and conduct of logistics, as part of broader Integrated United Nations and African Union processes in PSO.

The course opening ceremony was presided over by Major Marcel Mbabazi, the Head of Training at the RPA on behalf of the RPA Director. He told participants that the scarcity of resources to support peace support operations makes it imperative to train staff officers on logistics planning and management in order to use the available resources in the most effective and efficient manner.

“Optimal use of resources can only be achieved if logistical officers are conversant with logistics concepts and organization at all mission levels. In addition, the logistical officers should understand very clearly the doctrine, policies, and procedures of peacekeeping logistics as well as the financial and budgetary policies that relate to logistics,” Said Major Mbabazi.

The two-week course is conducted in partnership with the United Kingdom (UK) and in particular the British Peace Support Team, Africa (BPST-A). On behalf of the team, the Deputy Chief of Staff at the BPST – A, Major Rix James, revealed that they are proud to be part of the cooperation by providing such important courses.

“Great Britain is very proud to sponsor this excellent training event. We are committed to building regional capacity and increasing security and stability across Eastern Africa. We look forward to sponsoring more training events of this type in 2019 and beyond,” said Maj James.

A total of 26 military, police and civilian officers from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and representatives from the Southern African Development Community Regional Peacekeeping Training Centre (SADC-RPTC) and the African Union Peace Support Operations Division (PSOD) are attending this two-week course.