Peacekeeping is a noble cause

Editor,The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), on Thursday, deployed Air force squadrons to South Sudan under the newly formed United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Saturday, December 29, 2012
A Rwandan Air Force chopper departs from Kigali International Airport on Thursday to Juba, South Sudan. The New Times / Courtesy.

Editor,The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), on Thursday, deployed Air force squadrons to South Sudan under the newly formed United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).The country maintains more than 850 peacekeepers in South Sudan, besides the over 3,200 peacekeepers in Sudan, particularly in Darfur.Rwanda has been involved with peacekeeping missions for the last eight years, and her deployment of choppers in South Sudan is a sign that the country’s role in keeping global peace is only increasing.Peacekeeping is a noble cause and, therefore, should be viewed as a service to humanity; in this case to fellow Africans.After what we have gone through as a country over the last 18 years, it is befitting that we support our brothers and sisters on the continent to achieve the same peace we have today.I wish to thank our government for standing with the people facing insecurity elsewhere.Jonah Kamanzi, Kigali

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Editor,This is with reference to the story, Rwandan military deploys choppers to South Sudan, published in The New Times issue of December 28.Kudos to Rwanda! You had been deserted by the UN in 1994, and now you contribute the UN’s peacekeeping missions...Greetings from Istanbul..!Serhangi