KICUKIRO - The last batch of the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) peacekeepers, part of the United Nations Advance Mission in Sudan (UNAMIS), landed yesterday evening at Kanombe Airport aboard a Jordan Aviation plane from Sudan.

The group has been part of the peacekeeping operations for the past one year. The sixty-three troops commanded by Major Charles Rubanza were among the 254 troops who went last year. Their return is part of the rotation exercise that kicked off earlier this month.

On arrival, they were received by the US Ambassador, Stuart Symington, who applauded the diligent service they had rendered to the people of Sudan.

"It is not how we do it, but how we treat and protect the people that are important. I wish you and your families a good holiday,” said the Ambassador.

Symington was flanked by Col. Camile Karegye the commander of Nyakinama Military Academy. He also thanked the troops for the service that they had rendered to the people of Sudan and their country.

The UNAMIS mandate prescribes that troops also carry out office work; man offices and carry out clerical support and provide Level One medical services to fellow peacekeepers.

Speaking to The New Times, Major Rubanza said that all the soldiers had come back in good shape and were happy to be back in their country.

"We were in charge of guarding key personnel in the United Nations and also doing other tasks as directed to us while in Sudan,” he added.

The United Nations Security Council set the deadline of UNAMIS to accomplish their duties in Sudan by the end of 2012. Rwandan troops serving under the auspice of UNAMIS have spent three years in Khartoum.

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