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.