The Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) yesterday received a fully equipped camp facility worth from the governments of the United States of America and the Netherlands to help it in its peacekeeping operations.

They include; a computer lab, accommodation, a kitchen and fully equipped dining hall, a mess and ten trucks.

The camp was handed over to the army Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen Charles Kayonga by the US Ambassador to Rwanda Stuart Symington at the Rwanda Military Academy, Gako.

The US envoy underscored the relevance of his country’s support to peace support operations, saying that peace is very fragile and that sometimes the dangers of those who seek to keep peace are greater than those who go to war.

"I don’t think there is anything more important in the world than to make peace and keep it,” Symington said shortly after touring the camp which has capacity to accommodate up to 800 soldiers.

"For me, that the Netherlands and US have anything to do with your success is an honour. So, It’s not about our contribution, it’s about yours,” he added.

In his remarks, Kayonga said that the donations would go a long way in increasing the force’s strength in carrying out peace keeping operations.

"Training will greatly be simplified through using these facilities. We shall not only use them for the benefit of Rwanda, but also other countries in the world through our peace keeping efforts,” Kayonga said. 

The construction and establishment of the facilities was carried out by US’ Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA), an initiative designed to improve African ability to respond quickly to crises by providing selected militaries with the training and equipment required to execute humanitarian or peace support operations.

Ends