Students from the RDF Command and Staff College returned to Rwanda after completing a week-long tour to Ethiopia and Turkey.

The students were in two groups, with the Ethiopia delegation headed by Major General John Bosco Kazura and the one in Turkey was headed by Colonel Justus Majyambere.

The students got to visit the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kamel Ataturk located in Ankara the capital city of Turkey.

The mausoleum tour was in line with the theme"maintaining state cohesion in the face of national security challenges.”

In Turkey’s history, the Mausoleum is an important symbol that binds the Turkish people together as a nation.

H.E. Mustafa Kamel is the greatest hero of Turkey and was honored with title of Aturtuk which basically means the ‘father of the allTurks’ for his bravery and exemplary leadership in the face of erstwhile adversaries during their war of independence.

The students also visited defense industries; One dealing with footwear, outerwear and textile, and the other dealing with the manufacture of military and police garments. They also visited the Police Special Forces Training Institutions where they were briefed on the Police-Military Cooperation and inter-agency training focusing specifically on counter terrorism.

The delegation was also briefed on the Turkish foreign policy especially towards Africa by officials from the Turkish ministry of Foreign Affairs. They also received briefings on how Turkey is dealing with internal and external security challenges from Army, Navy, Airforce and Cost Guard officials during a visit to the Turkish Armed Forces Joint Headquarters.

During a visit to the Joint Forces Staff College, Joint Warfare Centre and simulation /war gaming facility located in Istanbul, the delegation learnt about officer-career development with a major focus on the curriculum improvement in military schools, academies and colleges.

The group that went to Ethiopia, visited the country's Airforce headquarters, where they were briefed about the transformation of the Ethiopian air force. They also visited various industries including plants that manufacture automobiles and another that makes military equipment and weapons.

The students also visited the Ethiopian defense engineering school where officers are trained in various fields including electronic, mechanical, aeronautic and civil engineering.

Both the Ethiopian and Turkish delegations took part in commemoration activities that were organized by the Rwandan embassies in those countries.

75 students and college staff from the Musanze-based RDF Command and Staff College took part in the tour that was designed to provide them with the opportunity to undertake an in-depth study of the history, defense and security establishment, geo-political environment and socio-economic initiatives made by the host countries to ensure their national security

The tour was organised under the theme: "Maintaining State Cohesion in the Face of National Security Challenges.”

Countries that have students and or staff at RDF Command and Staff College include Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, South Sudan, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda and Zambia.

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