140 POLICE OFFICERS RETURN FROM
PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN MALI
Kigali — The maiden Formed Police Unit (FPU1)
contingent of 140 officers deployed to Mali in November last year returned home
yesterday evening after successfully completing their one year mandate under
the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
FPU1, led by Chief Supt. Bertin Mutezintare,
was received at the Kigali International Airport by the Deputy Inspector
General of Police in charge of Operations, Dan Munyuza.
Their replacements, who also numbered 140,
left Kigali yesterday morning. ACP Jean Baptiste Seminega leads them.
The mandate of the FPU include escort duties,
protection of VIPs and UN personnel, crowd control and public order management
and other duties in line with the mission mandate.
DIGP Munyuza thanked the officers for their
work in Mali.
"You have been good ambassadors,
performed your duties exceptionally well and that is justified by the medals
you were awarded and the legacy you have left behind," DIGP Munyuza said.
He urged them to use the skills they acquired
to effect their duties professionally.
"We are happy to be back home...and to
come back with honour. We have left behind a good image about Rwanda and it's
my conviction that our colleagues who have replaced us will build from where we
stopped for the good of the people of Mali and Africa in general," CSP
Mutezintare said.
The FPU1 in Mali introduced food security
awareness aimed at encouraging MINUSMA and local security organs to engage in
various initiatives to assist vulnerable communities.
Out of the financial contribution of each of
the Rwandan police officer, they supported orphans, including paying their
school fees for one year and giving them scholastic materials among others.
Mutezintare also noted that the officers
halted the insurgency in Kidal city, rescuing UN personnel and provided free
medical services to local population.
Mali is among the nine missions, where Rwanda
National Police (RNP) in now involved.
Other missions are Darfur, South Sudan, Ivory
Cost, Haiti, Abey, Liberia, Liberia, Central Africa Republic and Guinea Bissau.
RNP currently has over 560 officers involved
in international missions.
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