Jean-Pierre Lacroix, United Nations Under-Secretary General for peace operations on Sunday visited Rwandan peacekeepers (Rwabatt8) serving under the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA), at their headquarters in Socatel M’poko Base camp in Bangui city.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, Lacroix was received by the Contingent Commander Col Augustin Migabo who briefed him on Rwabatt8 operations and the challenges faced since they deployed to CAR on April last year.

Lacroix congratulated Rwandan peacekeepers for their role in restoring peace and security in CAR despite the challenges of Covid-19 pandemic.

"We are all impressed and very grateful for the outstanding performance of Rwabatt8, and entire Rwandan peace keepers who have a good record of conduct and discipline in peacekeeping operations,” he said after a brief meeting.

He further encouraged Rwabatt8 to remain resolute in the enforcement of the MINUSCA mandate.

After interacting with troops, the statement noted, Lacroix also planted the tree as a symbol of peace and support to environment conservation initiatives.

The UN official was accompanied by the outgoing MINUSCA Special Representative of the UN Secretary General Mankeur Ndiaye, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General Lizbeth Cullitty, MINUSCA Deputy Force Commander Maj Gen Paulo Emmanuel Maiia Pereira among others.

Rwanda is among the world’s top peacekeeping troop and police contributors, currently deploying in five UN Missions.

Available data estimates that more than 5,000 Rwandan military, police, experts, and advisors provide critical support to peacekeeping missions including; MINUSCA (Central African Republic), UNMISS (South Sudan), and UNISFA (Abei Region).

In CAR, Rwanda also maintains a special contingent deployed under a bilateral arrangement to supplement the work of UN peacekeepers.

Meanwhile, recently, Rwandan diplomat Valentine Rugwabiza was named by the UN Secretary General as his new Special Representative in CAR, replacing Ndiaye.