It was a joyous homecoming for 142 Rwanda Defence Forces troops who jetted back in the country yesterday upon completion of their tour of duty under African Union and United Nations peacekeeping missions in the restive Central African Republic (CAR).

They are the first peacekeepers to return of the 850 troops expected back home through January 28. Up to 750 troops are being airlifted to CAR to replace the returning battle-hardened contingent, with 142 having left yesterday.

Those being welcomed back home are part of the mechanized battalion of 850 troops that played a major role in stabilising the CAR capital of Bangui when they first deployed early last year.

The peacekeepers in CAR rehatted late last year, changing from an African Union to a United Nations mission under the name United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (Minusca). Yesterday, 125 troops were airlifted to CAR as part of the 750 that are replacing the returning officers and men.

Defence and Military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Joseph Nzabamwita praised the returning men and women in uniform saying, as an offensive contingent, they were central to the stabilisation of Bangui and the opening of a crucial supplies corridor from Duala port in Cameroon to Bangui.

"For the last one year they have fought armed groups and were instrumental in opening a 700 kilometre road from Bangui to the Cameroon border. We are proud of their selfless service and commitment to the safety of the people of CAR,” he told The New Times.

Earlier, Bangui had been cut off from major supplies routes by armed militia groups, which sprung up across the country after Islamic Seleka coalition took over government and then collapsed amid allegations it had committed crimes against Christian populations.

The ensuing crisis plunged the nation into lawlessness prompting the international community to deploy peacekeepers, with Rwanda among the first countries to put boots on the ground.

Rwandan peacekeepers are deployed mainly on Bangui streets and are charged with guarding top politicians, including the president, and key installations.

Gen. Nzabamwita commended the returning troops for maintaining discipline and serving the people of CAR with distinction. No Rwandan peacekeeper lost their life during the multiple clashes with militia groups over the last one year.

An estimated 5,000 people are said to have lost their lives in the sectarian violence in CAR while thousands of Muslims fled to neighbouring countries. Both Muslim and Christian militias have agreed to lay down arms, raising hope that the country may soon return to normalcy.

Members of a UN commission set up to investigate crimes in CAR have accused both sides to the conflict of crimes against humanity and urged the United Nations to establish an international court to prosecute perpetrators.

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