Rwanda Defence Forces has started the Relief in Place Operation for its troops deployed under United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). The first group of peacekeepers from 11 Infantry Battalion left Kigali on Thursday to replace their colleagues of the 59 Infantry Battalion, whose first batch arrived back home on the same day.

Representing RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Brig Gen Chris Murari, the RDF Chief J3 (in charge of operation and training), urged the peacekeepers going for the mission to be good ambassadors of Rwanda and keep in mind their core mission of protecting civilians.

"Be always guided by RDF values, work in team spirit and safeguard the good image of Rwanda by performing your mission at high standards,” he told the peacekeepers.

On the other hand, Brig Gen Murari welcomed the returning group of RDF peacekeepers.

He congratulated them for having successfully concluded their tour of duty and urged them to maintain discipline in future duties they will be assigned to.

Two other RDF battalions under UNAMID are expected to be replaced during the just-started rotation exercise.

Rwanda maintains six battalions in peacekeeping missions, including three in Darfur (UNAMID), two battalions and one aviation unit in South Sudan (UNMISS), as well as one battalion and a level-2 hospital in Central Africa Republic (MINUSCA).

Rwanda is currently the fifth largest troop and police contributing country to UN-peacekeeping missions globally.

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