KIGALI - The second rotation of Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) peacekeepers serving under UN Mission in Khartoum, Sudan has started. It kicked off yesterday with the arrival of 63 RDF peacekeepers as part of the second rotation, which started with the airlifting of equivalent counterparts to Khartoum on the same day. The peacekeepers arrived at Kigali International Airport last evening aboard Georgian Airline from Khartoum, where they served for a year under the UN Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS).

"They are part of the 254 RDF men who are being replaced by another 254 officers and men,” Military Spokesman Maj. Jill Rutaremara explained.

Maj. Rutaremara told journalists that the returning group, under the command of Maj. John Karangwa, is the one which replaced the first RDF-UN peacekeepers’ batch last December. Karagwa hasn’t yet come back

The peacekeepers are charged with safeguarding UN officials, logistics and providing administrative support.

Rutaremara said that Karangwa is preparing to hand over to his successor, Maj. Charles Rubanza who will lead the third RDF batch to Khartoum.

The Rwandan military has over two years served the peacekeeping mission under the UNMIS since the mission’s establishment by UN Security Council in 2005.

The UNMIS is aimed at supporting implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army on January 9, 2005.
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