Musanze -Officers drawn from eight African countries, yesterday, completed the first international course on Understanding Conflict and Conflict Analysis, conducted by the Rwanda Peace Academy, at Nyakinama.

The Minister of Defence, Gen. James Kabarebe, presided over the closing ceremony and awarded certificates to 32 participants drawn from East African Community member states (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda), as well as Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe.

The pilot course which drew professionals from the Military, Police, Prison Service as well as the Unity and Reconciliation Commission, was organized by Rwanda in collaboration with the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and King’s College London.

Kabarebe said that peace and stability in Africa will be assured by appreciating the causes of conflict, its dynamics and actors.

"The reality of conflict and its destructive aftermath on the continent, and indeed elsewhere, demands deep understanding of the circumstances that bring it about,’’ Kabarebe said.

He later met with Lt. Gen (Rt) Satish Nambiar, representative from UNITAR, on enhancing cooperation between Rwanda Peace Academy, and UNITAR.
The minister commended the government of Japan, UNITAR and facilitators from King’s College London, for their support towards peace building and Rwanda Peace Academy project.  

Participants said the training was useful as far as peace keeping operations and conflict analysis was concerned.

"This course has provided us with the overview and the insight on what we should do before we move to resolve conflicts. We need to understand their major causes, their context and the actors within the African conflicts,’’ said Col. Joe Muzvidziwa, from Zimbabwe.   

The UN Resident Coordinator, Aurelien Agbenonci, commended the Rwanda Peace Academy initiative, especially regarding the international course on conflict analysis and he pledged more support towards promoting peace and ending conflicts in the region.

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