KIGALI - Military officers from 17 African countries have arrived in the country to attend a workshop on the experience of multi-national peace support operations with Darfur as a case study. According to a release from Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF), the four-day workshop is expected to focus on the current international peace operations in Darfur and Somalia. Veterans of the operations including Rwanda’s Brig Gen Frank Kamanzi Mushyo and Col Ephraim Rurangwa—are expected to give presentations.

Both senior officers have served in the war ravaged Darfur region of Sudan for the African Union mission UNAMIS, which since this year was integrated into consolidated AU-UN joint mission.  

The meeting which will take place at the Nyakinama Military Training Academy in the Northern Province will be the first of its kind.

"The workshop will provide an opportunity to veterans of peace support operations to offer their insights, practical problems and solutions,” the release reads in part.

It was organised by the RDF under the auspices of African Contingency Operations and Training Assistance Programme (ACOTA). "Learning organisation becomes relevant to the future by analyzing developing trends and issues, scanning the environment for changes, challenges and opportunities, then devise ways to control emergent conditions,” the release says.

According to the RDF spokesman Maj. Jill Rutaremara, the workshop will be opened by the Army Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Charles Kayonga.

RDF has been an active supporter of the peace operation in Darfur since 2004 and currently an RDF officer, Maj. Gen. Karenzi Karake is the Deputy Force Commander of the 26, 000 strong UNAMID.
Ends