Kigali - A contingent of Rwandan troops is set to leave Kigali today for peace-keeping duties with an African-led mission in the Central African Republic (CAR), according to a statement released by the Rwanda Defence Forces.
The statement said Rwanda would deploy a combat-ready mechanised infantry battalion of 850 troops under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Jean Paul Karangwa to the CAR.
The troops will serve under the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA), alongside the French forces mandated by the United Nations Security Council Resolution of 5 December 2013.
The peacekeepers have undergone pre-deployment training and have been robustly equipped to fulfil their mission, Rwanda's Defence and Military spokesperson, Brigadier-General Joseph Nzabamwita, was quoted as saying in the statement.
The troops will serve in the CAR for 12 months, charged with helping in the protection of civilians, stabilising the country and restoring State authority over the territory, as well as creating conditions conducive to the provision of humanitarian assistance.
The troops will be airlifted by US military aircraft to Bangui within 20 days. Rwanda has also previously sent peacekeepers to Darfur, South Sudan, and Mali.
African leaders on Wednesday concluded the 5th Ordinary Summit of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) in Luanda, Angola, with leaders recommitting to bring about peace and stability in the region, especially in conflict countries.
The leaders resolved to have reviewed their implementation of the ICGLR Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region and the United Nations (UN) Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Region. – SAnews.gov.za-NNN-Xinhua
