Musanze, 7 June 2024

Forty-nine Senior Officers from Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Rwanda National Police and Allied Armed Forces from 10 African countries have graduated from the one-year long Senior Command and Staff Course Intake-12. The graduation ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Defence, Hon Juvenal Marizamunda.

Also present at the ceremony were the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen MK Mubarakh, the Service Chiefs, the Rwanda National Police and Rwanda Correctional Services chiefs, other representatives of security organs, and officials from the University of Rwanda and local government.

In his remarks, Hon Minister emphasized that the knowledge, skills, and expertise that graduands acquired during this course will serve them well, as they take on greater responsibilities and leadership roles within the armed forces.

“Today, we are here not only to celebrate your individual achievements, but also to recognize the collective strength and unity that this esteemed College represents. The Senior Command and Staff College, has nurtured the minds of capable leaders, who have been shaped and molded to face the challenges of our ever-changing world. In such a constantly evolving world, with new security threats and complex global issues, the need for military leaders that comprehend the complexities and dynamics of global, regional, and domestic environments, and their ramifications on national security has become more crucial than ever before,” said Hon Marizamunda.

The senior officers acquired professional military knowledge designed to help them in their future command and leadership management responsibilities.

All 49 graduates were awarded with the ‘Passed Staff College’ symbol and course certificate while 34 were awarded a Master of Arts degree in Security studies by the University of Rwanda.

The graduates are from Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.