Rwanda | Rwanda Hosts Military oE:\Arritcles all format\Blue\livinginrwanda-SOFTLAYERbservers’ course

The Senior military officials from the East African Community (EAC) partner states, among others, yesterday began an International Military Observers Course, at Rwanda Peace Academy (RPA) to enable officers gain knowledge in attitude and skills.

The course, which is accredited by the United Nations, consisted of twenty-two officers are from Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) and also attracted a good number of trainees from Malawi and Australia.

The course which is taking place in Nyakinama, Musanze District Northern part Rwanda, is scheduled to take a three-week. It is the first of its kind to be hosted in Rwanda, supported by the Australian government through the Australian Defence Force Peace Operation Training Centre (POTC).

The Chief of Staff of RDF Land Forces, Lt. Gen. Ceaser Kayizari, said our countries contribute military contingents and other components in support of peace missions under UN and AU operations. Needless to say, support from military observers is very important.
The course will be facilitated by instructors from Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia

Kayizari added that we are aware that the contemporary operating environment is becoming more complex and volatile; these complexities challenge our traditional beliefs, military observers will always face matters that offer no clear cut solution.

Rwanda maintains peacekeepers in Sudan, South Sudan, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Haiti.

The Acting Director of Rwanda Peace Academy-Nyakinama, Brig. Gen Innocent Kabandana, said the objective of the course was embedded in the core mission of the academy, which is to “train and educate people in area of peace building.”

At the end of the training, participants will be qualified to serve as UN military observers. It is the first time the 29-year old POTC, which has been focusing on Asia-Pacific, has ventured into Africa.

“It is necessary and beneficial that countries share knowledge in security and stability operations, as peacekeeping is becoming more complex”, said the Australian High Commissioner in Rwanda, Geoff Tooth.

“We share common interests to secure the global environment as today’s security threats transcend borders and continents. It is extremely important that civilian, police, military and community actors work together to build sustainable peace’’