A contingent of Rwandan peacekeepers serving under the United Nations Mission in Sudan’s Darfur region, known as the Rwanbatt47, has handed over a secondary school to a community of Internally Displaced Persons in El Fasher town in Darfur.

The girls-only three-classroom block was handed over to the Darfuri community on Friday in the presence of senior officials from the troubled region as well as the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNAMID), according to a statement from the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF).

Prof. Yousuf Isaac Ahmad, the Darfur education state minister, who presided over the ceremony, expressed his gratitude to the Rwandan peacekeepers for "a job well done”.

Besides the three classrooms, the Rwandan troops also constructed an administrative office.

"The construction of the girls secondary school was initiated in conjunction with UNAMID Christian Fellowship who decided to work with Rwanbatt47 because of their reputation in delivering high-profile quick impact projects,” the statement said.

"This is the second time I have attended this kind of event, at first it was at the Umkadada locality where we celebrated a similar feat, a school fence constructed at Noor Salaam girl’s primary school,” Ahmad said.

"I would like us to dedicate a special day on which we would hold an intercultural celebration between the people of Darfur and Rwanda every year; we should honour their great contribution (to Darfur) and assistance to our people. It will be a great occasion to celebrate and promote our good relations.”

Last year, the Rwanbatt47 also completed two classrooms and an office which it also handed over to the local community.

Khalil Sheik Khadin, a representative of Salaam IDP camp, thanked Rwandan peacekeepers and Rwanda for the continued support. "Your contribution and assistance to our people is an historic act, you make a difference in people’s lives and we hope the other peacekeepers from other countries will learn from you and probably undertake similar schemes,” he said.

UNAMID Force Commander Lt Gen Frank Mushyo Kamanzi commended the contribution by Rwanbatt47 and pledged continued participation in such projects from those that will replace the Rwandan battalion in the coming days.

Rwanda, the first country to deploy peacekeepers to Darfur in the wake of a deadly ethnic conflict back in 2004, maintains over 3,200 peacekeepers in the troubled region – the largest contingent of any country deployed in the area.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw