The United Nations, on Thursday, March 28, awarded service medals to 320 Rwandan Police peacekeepers serving under its Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA), in recognition of their sacrifice and contribution to peace, stability, and protection of civilians in the host country.

The decorated officers include 139 from the ninth Rwanda Formed Police Unit One rotation (RWAFPU1-9), 140 personnel of Rwanda Protection Support Unit's eighth rotation (PSU1-8) and 41 Rwandan officers serving as Individual Police Officers (IPO).

Formed Police Units conduct escort duties, public order management; protection of civilians, UN personnel and facilities, among others.

The Protection Support Unit is charged with ensuring the protection of high-profile government and UN officials, including the Prime Minister, the Minister of Justice, SRSG and the two deputies, and Head of MINUSCA Police Component, among others.

The IPOs, on the other hand, act as Police advisors and mentors.

The MINUSCA Head of Police Component (HOPC), Commissioner of Police (CP) Christophe Bizimungu, who presided over the medal awarding ceremony, thanked the Police officers for their commitment and dedication to the mission mandate, particularly escort and protection of CAR officials, UN personnel and magistrates of the Special Criminal Court of Bangui.

He thanked them for supporting the local communities through various human security initiatives such as blood donation, free medical consultation and treatment, donation of medicines; communal work (Umuganda) and supply of clean water to vulnerable families.

"Maintain the humanitarian spirit and commitment for the remaining days of your tour-of-duty," Bizimungu said.