Twenty-eightRwanda National Police (RNP) officers serving under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have been awarded UN service medals in recognition of their professional peacekeeping duties.

The recognised officers, who serve as Individual Police Officers (IPOs), include seven females. IPOs act as trainers, mentors and advisers, among others.

The awards ceremony, presided over by the Deputy Special Representative of UN Secretary General (D/SRSG) Moustapha Soumare, was held in Juba Thong Ping Camp, on Wednesday.

The ceremony was attended by  Frederick Yiga, the UNMISS Police Commissioner, CP Emmanuel Butera, the chief of operations of UN Police (UNPOL), and other senior UNMISS officials, both military and police components.

Yiga also awarded certificates of merit to the officers.

Soumare thanked Rwanda for contributing to the creation of peace in South Sudan by providing peacekeepers to UNMISS.

Soumare commended the officers for their professionalism and commitment, which he said helped to maintain good relations with the people of South Sudan and with the entire UNMISS staff.

Rwanda is the fifth largest troop and police contributing country to UN peacekeeping missions in the world.

"Throughout the system, Rwanda Police peacekeepers are highly regarded for their training and discipline, and we in UNMISS are proud to have them as part of the Mission. You make Africa proud,” he said.

"Rwandan UNPOL officers have made vital contributions to the activities of the Mission, especially in work undertaken to protect civilians. UNMISS and people of South Sudan thank you for your service and for professional manner in which you conduct your duties,” he added.

Women peacekeepers

Soumare also thanked Rwanda for increasing the number of women peacekeepers in UN Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan.

"The women here today have shown the female face of peacekeepers, enhancing security and safety for local communities. In doing so, they have made the mission more approachable to society’s most vulnerable,” he said.

The Chief of Operations in UNPOL, CP Emmanuel Butera, affirmed Rwanda’s commitment to peace building and partnership with the UN Family in South Sudan to restore peace and tranquility.

The Contingent Commander of Rwanda UNPOL in UNMISS, Gaston Nsanzimana, welcomed the UN’s recognition and lauded his contingent for upholding Rwandan values during their tour of duty.

"During the past eight months, 28 Police advisors effectively carried out their responsibility with strong desire, professionalism and discipline where they have been based in Malakal in Upper Nile State, Torit, Bentiu, Bor, Kuajok, as well as in Juba,” he said.

"They relentlessly served on frontlines to protect civilians, monitoring and investigating human rights abuses, created safe environment for community activities and for delivery of humanitarian assistance and supporting the implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement.”