PARTICIPANTS from seven countries in the region who attended training on protecting civilians in conflict situations say they had gained formidable skills to secure vulnerable people, especially women and children.

The officials pledged commitment to put the skills to proper use at the closing of the five-day training hosted at the Rwanda Peace Academy in Musanze District. The training was aimed at equipping military and police officers as well as officials from the civil society with skills needed to protect civilians during peacekeeping operations, according to Col. Jill Rutaremara, the director of the academy.

Participants said that the training had equipped them with additional skills and sharpened their sense of judgment to make correct decisions to secure civilians in conflict situations.

"I have gained a lot from the course; when  two parties fight and you are a peacekeeper, you fight for your own life, civilians and their prosperity and for harmony,” said Brig Gen Chol Daleer Abit from South Sudan.

"We in South Sudan have what is called civil and military relations. I will put in use what I have learned here to strengthen that concept”.

Another participant, Eugenie Muteteri from African Harvest Mission, a non –government organisation operating in Rwanda, said she had acquired skills that would help her and colleagues to not only protect civilians in their respective countries, but on the whole continent.

"We have acquired enough skills, as my country is committed to promoting peace within and outside the borders, I am committed protecting civilians wherever I am assigned, "said Muteteri

"I have acquired tactics to deal with any conflicts and protect civilians; we have learnt that civilians, and especially women and children, should be protected and supported, both physically and morally, against sexually abuse.”

Being centered on the genesis and context of civilian protection, the legal framework, and the challenges faced while protecting civilians, the training was funded by the United Nations Institute of Training and Research.

The UN agency also funded training of trainer’s programme that preceded the course.

Col Rutaremara, the Director of the Rwanda Peace Academy, urged the participants to use skills to design comprehensive and realistic operational plans and to deploy the resources at their disposal in the most efficient and effective manner.

He said the course had enabled them identify various challenges associated with protection of civilians in peacekeeping operations such as the lack of critical resources, coordination, divergent interests and lack of commitment to safeguard civilians.

"The training will contribute to enhanced protection of civilians, especially women and children, in conflict situation. This will in turn contribute to more credible, effective and successful peacekeeping operations in which some or all of you will be involved,” said Rutaremara.

Dr Linnea Gelot, the lead facilitator, hailed the government for organizing the training through the Ministry of Education; adding that it will help save lives.