MUSANZE -  The Minister of Defense, James Kabarebe, yesterday, laid a foundation stone during a ground breaking ceremony to launch the construction of the Rwanda Peace Academy-RPA, at Nyakinama, in Musanze district, 

The academy, which will cost over Rwf I billion, co-funded by the governments of Japan and Rwanda, will offer peace and conflict prevention related courses to scholars from the region.

Minister Kabarebe was joined by Japan’s Ambassador , Kunor Hatanaka,  the UN Resident Coordinator, Aurelien Agbenonci and the Peace Academy Director, Col. Innocent Kabandana.

The construction is estimated to take up to one year to complete

During the function, a study report on the National Peace Building Assessment in Rwanda conducted by the Institute Of Research and Dialogue For Peace-IRDP, on behalf of Rwanda Peace Academy, was presented.

"The Government of Japan, appreciates much the Rwandan government’s efforts towards peace building on the international scene, and in this regard, we are pleased to support the RPA.

It is well known that RDF, with its high motivation based on Rwandan history is taking an active role in peace keeping’’ Hatanaka said 

Rwanda Peace Academy-RPA will enhance regional and sub-regional capacity for conflict prevention, management, resolution, post-conflict recovery and peace building, by drawing on Rwanda’s experience

The UN Resident Coordinator Agbenonci, on behalf of the UN, paid tribute to the two Rwandan peacekeepers serving under the auspices of the United Nations-African Union in Darfur (UNAMID) killed in an ambush in Darfur this week

Col. Joseph Nzabamwita, the RDF Spokesman, said that the Academy, will boost the understanding of critical peace and security issues, and focus on peace construction and conflict management.

”It will be a regional centre of excellence engaging in relevant research and exchange of regional and global expertise and knowledge,” Nzabamwita said.

Some programmes to be offered include a Masters Programme in Peace-Building and Post-Conflict Resilience, diplomas in protection of civilians, governance and security, Women, peace and leadership

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