The United Nations has awarded service medals to 160 Rwandan Police peacekeepers serving in its mission in South Sudan in recognition of their sacrifice and dedicated service.
The medal pinning ceremony for Rwanda Formed Police Unit Three (RWAFPU 3-6) deployed in Juba, was presided over by the Police Commissioner for the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Christine Fossen.
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The medal parade for the female-dominated contingent, was also attended by the UNMISS Chief of Operations, Commissioner of Police (CP) Felly Rutagerura Bahizi, peacekeepers from other contributing countries and representatives from South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS).
The Police Commissioner thanked them for their dedicated service to protect civilians and to support the SSNPS capacity development.
"Your medals represent a personal sacrifice you have made as part of our joint endeavour to protect civilians and sustain durable peace in this country of South Sudan," Fossen said.
She added: "You are almost at the end of your mission and receiving these medals is indeed an important milestone in your deployment."
Bahizi thanked the decorated officers&039; determination and contributing to peace efforts in South Sudan.
The RWAFPU-3 contingent commander, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Angelique Uwamariya, thanked UNMISS for the support in the execution of their mandate.
"We contributed to the protection of civilians, creating conditions that are conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance, monitoring and investigating human rights violations as well as supporting the implementation of revitalized agreement and peace process," Uwamariya said.
She added that the RWAFPU 3-6 trained the South Sudan Police on public order management, Police techniques, and tactics such as arrest and detention methods.
Uwamariya also thanked the officers under her command for their professionalism, commitment, and hard work to fulfill the UNMISS mandate, despite the challenges.