Bangui, 20 March 2021

Rwandan peacekeepers (Rwabatt7) serving under the United Nations Multidimensional Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) yesterday received UN medals for their contribution to peace in the country, at a ceremony held at Socatel M’poko Base camp in Bangui.

While presiding over the ceremony, the MINUSCA Joint Task Force Commander, Brig Gen Driss OKADDOUR appreciated Rwandan peacekeepers' dedication in MINUSCA’s efforts in the pursuit of stability, security and peace in CAR particularly during the 27 Dec 2020 presidential and legislative election.

“Your work is greatly valued by all MINUSCA members and our hosts, who are the main beneficiaries of your peacekeeping duties. I can’t forget your sacrifice and devotion when rebels attacked Bangui City, your commander told me, the situation will be normalised soon and you immediately repulsed the attack”. 

Rwabatt7 deployed in Bangui on 06 March 2020 conducted various operations including protecting the President of CAR and securing strategic sites in the capital city. They have also manned security posts in the 3rd and 5th districts of Bangui to prevent inter-communal clashes, conducted patrols to eliminate criminality, protected civilians in different locations of the country and carried out CIMIC activities such as distributing water to the local population. 

Rwabatt7 commanding officer Lt Col JB SAFARI commended the commitment of the force in different circumstances during the one year tour of duty. “We are proud of being part of the peace efforts in CAR,” he said.