Juba- South Sudan, 01 May 2024

The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Army Chief of Staff (ACOS), Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi today visited RDF peacekeepers under United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) at the UN Thongping Base Camp, in Juba and also earlier met with South Sudan Chief of Defence Forces and UNMISS Special Representative of the UN Secretary General.

The ACOS is currently in South Sudan for a 4-day working visit. Yesterday, he met with the UNMISS Special Representative of the Secretary General, Mr Nicholas Haysom and discussed the Rwandan contigents performance in UNMISS.

The RDF ACOS, today met with the Chief of Defence Forces of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, Gen Santino Deng Wol and the two discussed ways of strengthening the existing bilateral military cooperation between South Sudan and Rwanda Defence Forces.

The RDF ACOS also met with Rwandan peacekeepers at the UN Thongping Base Camp and was received by the Senior National Representative in South Sudan, Contingent Commanders as well as senior staff who briefed him on the current security situation in the area of responsibility before meeting the troops.

The ACOS conveyed a message from HE Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda and Commander-in- Chief of the Rwanda Defence Force and the entire RDF leadership thanking them for fulfilling their tasks with professionalism and discipline in mission area.

He also briefed them on the current security situation in Rwanda and in the region.

He urged the force to maintain discipline and professionalism and be good ambassadors of their country.

During his visit, the ACOS is also expected to meet with Rwandan troops deployed in Malakal in the North as well as the UNMISS Force Commander as part of his schedule.

Currently, Rwanda maintains 3 Battalions and an Aviation Unit deployed in Juba, Durupi, Torit, Malakal, and Bunji; all in support of UNMISS.