The UN has recognised Rwanda’s Police officer, Sergeant Felicite Mujawamariya for her hard work, innovation and skills.

During her one year stay in Sector South, Darfur, serving under the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) since January 2014, Sgt Mujawamariya always proved to be exceptional, doing what she was required to do with excellent performance, but also sacrificing her time to pass on her skills to refugees and residents in Darfur.

Her Commander, Police Commissioner Hester Adriana Paneras from South Africa, recognised her efforts in a message yesterday.

She was "articulate in her duties” as the coordinator of gender related projects, while also being "exceptional in preparing community policing initiatives,” the message said.

"Mujawamariya’s performance is exemplary and her initiatives have impacted positively on the population in the mission area as well as her fellow peacekeepers,” Commissioner Paneras said.

Among her notable initiatives, Mujawamariya reached out to vulnerable refugees in Darfur and taught them quick life skills such as weaving and soap making, while also serving as an English teacher to the young and old.

She is among the 30 Individual Police Officers (IPOs), including 19 girls, who returned from mission in Darfur and South Sudan on January 11.

The selflessness she portrayed was very essential in improving the lives of several refugees who took on small business initiatives using the skills they had attained.

"My motive was to do everything I can to help on top of professionally serving in my peacekeeping role,” Sgt Mujawamariya, said in an interview at the Rwanda National Police Headquarters in Kacyiru.

"I reached out to many refugees and residents in Sector South, Darfur, and together, we sought out ways in which they can improve their daily lives. Some of them now know how to make soap, weave clothes or can speak Basic English.”

Mujawamariya is also hailed for sensitising the residents about Ebola, which has so far killed over 8, 000 people in West Africa.

Using her background as medical personnel, Mujawamariya, with her knowledge on the Ebola virus, sensitised local residents and carried out drills on preventive measures.

"Ebola was feared all over the continent and although it was not in Darfur, the population was scared that it could spill over. After understanding how it is spread, I constantly reached out to the refugees and residents and educated them on preventive mechanisms and how to respond in case of an Ebola outbreak,” she said.

ACP Jimmy Hodari, Commissioner for Peacekeeping commended her efforts, saying all Rwandan peacekeepers in the Individual Police Officers are well trained and professional in promoting Rwanda’s image abroad.

For her exceptional service, Sergeant Mujawamariya, was last year awarded with a medal of excellence by the UN for her outstanding performance in reform and restructuring as the UN Team Site Commander in Darfur.

Rwanda is currently among the leading contributors of female police officers in peacekeeping missions, and is among the few countries that have elaborated the UN Security Council resolution 1325 action plan.

Resolution 1325 urges all actors to increase the participation of women in conflict resolution, peacekeeping and incorporate gender perspectives in all United Nations peace and security efforts.

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