KIGALI - Rwandan Police officers serving under the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), were yesterday awarded medals in appreciation for their outstanding work.

UNMIS Police Commissioner, Rajesh Dewan, said that the Rwandan contingent was being awarded for the role they played in fulfilling the UNMIS mandate of restoring peace to Sudan and commended them for their exemplary performance, professionalism, discipline and good conduct.

As a result of the above, the Rwanda Contingent in UNMIS grew from 5 Police Advisors in February 2009 to 38 Police Advisors today, he added.

Also present at the ceremony were the Rwandan Head of Diplomatic Mission, Joseph Rutabana and other senior UNMIS Police officers.

Dewan added that the Rwandan officers have been helping to build the capacity of the local Sudanese Police Services. The contingent has also been instrumental in mentoring and training the local Police during the April 2010 Elections and the just concluded Referendum for Southern Sudan.

UNMIS was established by Security Council Resolution 1590 (2005) and Rwanda is among many other countries participating in the mission by providing Police officers to the Mission.

Rwanda National Police is currently deployed in many parts of the world including; Sudan, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Chad, and Haiti.

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