Rwanda National Police (RNP) officers were among 80 officers  serving under the United Nations Operation in Ivory Coast (ONUCI) that received UN medals for their professional conduct during their tour of duty in the West African nation.

Alongside officers from other nations serving under the mission, 47 Rwandan peacekeepers were awarded the medals by Simon Munzu, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Côte d’Ivoire last Thursday, in Abidjan.

Munzu commended the peacekeepers for their professionalism and for supporting the government of Ivory Coast to enforce peace and security.

"Continue to ensure that your work in Ivory Coast is a legacy that will be remembered long after you are gone,” he said.

The UN Police Commissioner for UNOCI, CP Vianney Nshimiyimana, said the mission helped bring about positive reforms in the security sector, civilian protection, overseeing the disarmament process and developing the capacity of the Ivorian Police force.

UNOCI was established in 2004 with the mandate to facilitate the implementation the Ivorian peace agreement signed in January 2003.

Rwanda deployed its first peacekeepers to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) in 2004 – and has since then emerged as one of the largest and most effective peacekeepers in the world, contributing 199 police officers in eight missions.