From children playing on the streets of Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic (CAR), to women vending fruits and vegetables, and higher up to the President of the country, Rwandan troops are being hailed for a job well done in returning a semblance of peace and tranquility to the vast country that was fast gaining infamy for being restive.

Operating from Bangui for the past one year, the 850-strong Rwandan men and women in uniform under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in CAR (Minusca) have been returning home and are being replaced by a 750-strong contingent in the first rotation exercise.

The replaced peacekeepers have left behind a legacy of a responsible army capable of bringing what CAR residents yearned for—security.

Rwandan troops succeeded in bringing calm in areas they control in Bangui and the AU Mission entrusted them with guarding strategic points in the city, a duty that was again given to them by Minusca when it replaced AU Mission called Misca.

Among others, Rwandan peacekeepers were entrusted with the security of the President of CAR, Catherine Samba-Panza, the central bank, and the main prison in the capital.

Last week, President Samba-Panza awarded medals and certificates to the peacekeepers upon completion of their year-long tour of duty in the country.

"The Rwandan contingent that was already here under Misca has been appreciated by the population due to their distinguished and responsible behaviour,” Samba-Panza told The New Times from her office.

The Rwandan troops who guard her security are being touted in French by observers as her ‘contingent chéri’ (favourite contingent).

"I discovered a professional contingent and I trusted in them and asked that the Rwandans around me remain in charge of my security because I was satisfied with their service,” she said.

The last batch of peacekeepers returning home are expected to arrive in the country today.

They have been replaced by others who will spend a year serving in CAR where there is currently relative peace as a result of the intervention of the international community that deployed foot soldiers who stood between warring Christians and Muslims.

Several residents who spoke to this newspaper in CAR testified how the Rwandan soldiers saved them from death.

Antoinette Montaigne, the minister in charge of reconciliation in Samba-Panza’s transitional government, said CAR would have been in more trouble without the intervention of Rwandan peacekeepers.

"We would now be in a deep hole of violence had it not been for the help of Rwandans,” she said.

Mahamat Miradj, a shop owner and a trained economist, said Rwandan soldiers are more connected to the people than the rest of troops serving in the country.

"Members of the Rwandan contingent are always out and about in the neighbourhoods where they do patrols. The Rwandan troops have really won the confidence of people in different areas of the city,” he said.

Analysts say the UN’s Mission in CAR will take long before it wraps up given that there are still pockets of violence in the country caused by anti-Balaka and Séléka militia groups.

President Samba-Panza has until August to organise elections and get the country out of the transitional government.

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Residents of Bangui grateful to RDF

François Ngouyombo, a Christian working at the International Airport of Bangui. ‘We are happy with the Rwandan contingent. Rwandans have protected us up to this point.’

Emmanuella Ifeyinnwa, a 19-year-old single mother who called her baby Rugari, a Rwandan name, as an expression of her gratitude to Rwandans in the peacekeeping mission in Bangui. ‘Rwandans did a lot for me and that’s why I gave my baby a Rwandan name. They took me to the hospital when I was about to give birth.’

Ange Cavin Nida, a Christian living in the outskirt of Bangui. ‘It was a big relief for us when the Rwandan contingent arrived. The Rwandans were able to salvage our situation and bring peace back in our area. Rwandans are kind and reliable.’

Philemon Majeste, local leader of Socatel area on the outskirt of Bangui. ‘Rwandans reassured us of security and people here are now back in their homes. Members of the militia were afraid of the peacekeepers because the Rwandan troops would disarm them. Rwandans ordered the militiamen to stop moving with their guns or killing anyone.’

Nickel Morbeang, a third-year student at the University of Bangui. ‘Rwandan troops are always ready to help us and they are always in contact with us. We don’t want the Rwandan troops to go home because there is still a lot to do here in Bangui and we are not sure about security upcountry.’

Mahamat Miradj, a shop owner and economist. ‘Rwandan peacekeepers are out and about in the neighbourhoods where they do patrols. The troops have really won the confidence of people in different areas of the city.’

Mohamed Daouda Bilal, a peace ambassador attached to the Frères Centrafricaines, a local group that promotes peace. ‘I thank the Rwandan contingent for being impartial in their work. They need to keep up their good work. We really need peace so we can move freely anywhere in the city.’

Col. Jules Kogbia, director for presidential security (who is working with Rwandan soldiers to guard the President). ‘I am happy to work with Rwandans; they are a disciplined army. We learned a lot from Rwandans and we wish the Republic of Rwanda could continue relations with CRA so they can train our army.’

editorial@newtimes.co.rw