Malakal, 11 November 2019

Local citizens in South Sudan have applauded Rwandan peacekeepers for being closer to them while executing assigned UN peacekeeping mandate. While reacting on work done by 71 Infantry Battalion who concluded their one year tour of duty and returned back home today, Steven John, one of Internal Displaced People under protection of Rwanda Battalion in Malakal said “I have been particularly impressed by the Rwandan Battalion activities towards our community. We like the way you are closer to us; it makes us feel like brothers and sisters. We hope that your successors will equally do the same.”

71 Inf Bn was deployed in Upper Nile State, they handed over duties to 105 Infantry Battalion.

71Inf Bn Commanding Officer Lt Col William RYARASA said that apart from their assigned UN mandate of providing protection to civilians, RDF peacekeepers trained youth of Tonga village, Panyikang county on the carpentry, brick laying and masonry. Women of Malakal town were trained on construction of economic cooking stoves to reduce risks of sexual violence that were likely to happen when collecting firewood.

Currently Rwanda is the 2nd biggest troops contributing country in support of UN/AU mandates with a total of 5361 military personnel deployed under different peacekeeping missions in Darfur, South Sudan and Central Africa Republic.