Rwanda is set to train law enforcement officers in the Central African Republic (CAR) after the two countries committed to enhancing security cooperation, according to officials.
The development was announced on February 22, in Kigali, after Rwanda’s Ministry of Interior signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in internal security with CAR’s Ministry of Interior and Public Security. At the signing ceremony, CAR was represented by its Minister of Interior and Public Security, Michel Nicaise Nassin. Rwanda was represented by the Minister of Emergency Management (MINEMA), Maj. Gen (Rtd) Albert Murasira, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Alfred Gasana.
The new deal aims to reinforce another one signed between Rwanda National Police and both the CAR National Police and Gendarmerie – in February 2022, and October 2023. In October 2023, students from law enforcement agencies in the CAR started six-month course at the Counter Terrorism Training Centre (CTTC) Mayange in Bugesera District.
Murasira pointed out that the framework document indicates points of mutual interest which are going to be the priority of their future cooperation, and also the pillars of strengthening friendship between the two countries’ peoples. The Director General of the National Gendarmerie of CAR, Landry Ulrich Depot, said that his country expects much more from this cooperation to help it boost the capacity of its [law enforcement] institutions.
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"Already part of this is about to materialise through the presence of our men who are currently at the school here with you, trained by Rwandan technicians and instructors,” Depot pointed out. "The second contingent will soon, also after the release of that one, join the school. And, also soon, in a few months, Rwandan instructors will go to the Central African Republic for training 500 police officers and gendarmes in my special police force.”
Rwanda and CAR already have a partnership in police-related activities, especially in building the capacity of the latter’s police and gendarmerie.
Rwanda National Police spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga said: "We already have a partnership in terms of training. For instance, there 50 CAR gendarmes being trained at our centre located in Mayange [Counter Terrorism Training Center located in Myange Sector, Bugesera District].”
"Therefore, this visit was intended to consider, together, how such a partnership can be expanded, including a possibility to send our instructors to train police officers or gendarmes in the Central African Republic so that they are able to train a larger number based on the needs in their country.”
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Nassin said that "the multifaceted support of the Republic of Rwanda constitutes an effort to seek peace and security in the Central African Republic.”
Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra in November 2023 said that the bilateral cooperation arrangement with Rwanda is fruitful, having helped to restore peace and security in his country.
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In December 2020, Rwanda’s special forces were critical in blocking the advance – on Bangui – of the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) rebel alliance led by former president François Bozize. At the time, Rwanda quickly deployed special forces under a bilateral arrangement on defence to bolster CAR’s armed forces.