PHOTOS: South Sudanese share insights on impact of Rwandan peacekeepers

Rwanda is marking 20 years of participating in peacekeeping missions, with a strong emphasis on African states. Having emerged from the devastation of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda has transitioned from hosting a UN assistance mission (UNAMIR) to providing stability for its people and now contributes to peace in other nations. Rwanda's approach to peacekeeping includes bilateral cooperation agreements and contributions under the United Nations. One beneficiary of this approach is South Sudan, a fellow member of the East African Community. Beyond security, Rwandan troops in South Sudan are recognized for their humanitarian efforts in the areas where they operate. In 2015, they observed pupils studying under trees and in makeshift classrooms without sanitation facilities. Moved by the situation, the peacekeepers decided to build a proper school. ALSO READ: How Rwandan peacekeepers are helping South Sudan communities In addition to constructing the school, the troops provide educational materials and promote environmental initiatives, such as tree planting. Joseph Tutu, the chairman of Kapuri Nursery and Primary School Parents and Teachers Association, praised the school's positive impact. “Last year, we had 200 learners, and now we have 541. The support from Rwanda has been a great blessing,” Tutu said. In Durupi, a city neighboring the capital Juba where Rwandan Battalion 3 (Rwanbatt 3) is stationed, they supported Jebel Christian Primary and Secondary School by providing water, sports equipment, and scholastic materials. ALSO READ: Gen Rwivanga: Rwanda’s history requires RDF to set an example of peacekeeping The school's head teacher, John Bosco, expressed gratitude for the ongoing support, emphasizing the positive relationship between South Sudan and Rwanda. “We are so grateful. It is a good relationship between South Sudan and Rwanda,” he said. The head teacher also mentioned that the school learns from the troops to help the needy. “We learn how to love each other,” he added. Rwandan soldiers in Durupi also conduct medical outreach programmes, offering malaria and HIV testing, eye treatment, and among other medical services. ALSO READ: Cabo Delgado: Joint Medical outreach in Quionga Village Lt. Col. Simon Kabera, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Rwanda Defence Force, noted that activities by Rwandan troops, like medical outreach, are conducted in the same humanitarian context of protecting civilians. “If you have protected a person physically, then you need to ensure that this person also has basic needs to respond positively,” Kabera said. Local residents, such as Abraham, acknowledge the peacekeepers’ efforts to provide essential resources like water, which is scarce and costly in the region. “Due to the lack of water here, they help the people and they bring water,” Abraham said. ALSO READ: Tunashukuru: Cabo Delgado residents thankful for Rwanda-Mozambique effort to purge terrorists Theresa Miriam, 34, a resident of Ahmadi, received treatment from the Rwandan peacekeepers during a medical outreach in Durupi. She said that despite the poor living conditions in the area, the peacekeepers consistently provide them with water and medical supplies. We are suffering from many diseases, but the Rwandan peacekeepers give us the necessary medications, she said. Wilson Johnson, a South Sudanese resident, expressed his gratitude for the free medical services, including medicines provided by the troops. The Rwandan contingent’s efforts are also recognized by Brig. Gen. Ahmed Gulam, the Sector Commander of UN Mission in South Sudan. ALSO READ: Rwandan contingent 'backbone' of UN mission to South Sudan He highlighted their exceptional performance in fulfilling their mandate, saying that the troops are one of the most important elements of Sector Juba. “As sector commander, I feel privileged to say that they have been demonstrating outstanding performance in discharging their assigned responsibilities,” Gulam noted. Local health workers, like Sabrina Anthony, also commend the peacekeepers’ impact on reducing malaria cases, particularly among children and pregnant women. Rwanbatt 2, deployed in Malakal, Upper Nile State, is responsible for the Protection of Civilians Camp, which hosts over 7,000 refugees. In addition to maintaining security, Rwandan troops teach self-defense techniques to young girls, equipping them to protect themselves from violence. Nyalong Diukir, the Director of Gender at the State Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare, praised this initiative, stating it empowers girls. It will also raise awareness among young girls about self-defense, enabling them to protect themselves from any injustice, she noted. Diukir, who has had the opportunity to interact with the Rwandan soldiers, added that they plan to present this initiative to other governments to garner more support for empowering girls. ALSO READ: Corporal Sandrine Iradukunda reflects on 10 years of service, peacekeeping Private Uwase Ines, one of the trainers, explained that while their primary mandate is to maintain security for the residents of Malakal, they also focus on teaching young girls self-defense techniques to protect themselves from violence. We also engage with the local community, and overall, we have built a good relationship with them, she said. Rwandan army doctors also serve the Malakal camp, offering free consultations and medications. The camp leader Zachariah Deng Owet commended the strong relationship between the peacekeepers and the community, with activities like football matches between soldiers and local youth helping foster unity. RDF’s Kabera said that the reason the troops organize football games between displaces people and refugees is to try to bring the vulnerable people together, creating a sense of life and fostering friendship between us. That helps us achieve the ultimate obligation of protecting civilians, he added. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s peacekeeping in CAR reaching ‘considerable progress’ Over 600 Rwandans live and do business in South Sudan, and they commend the efforts of the Rwandan peacekeepers, noting that their positive reputation has made their daily life easier. The Rwandan community contributes to the activities led by the Rwandan troops, such as the building Kapuri Primary School, and they also participate in government campaigns. William Ngabonziza, the leader of the Rwandan community in South Sudan, who has been doing business in the country for 11 years, said the image portrayed by the Rwandan troops greatly benefits their business. “Rwandans living in South Sudan today are proud to be called Rwandans, something that never existed before,” Ngabonziza said. Scovia Nzamukosha, anaother Rwandan businesswoman, echoed Ngabonziza’s sentiments, saying that being Rwandan is an honor because of the soldiers' work in the country. She shared a story of being stopped by the police during curfew. She was with foreigners from other countries, but when the police asked where she was from and learned she was Rwandan, she was allowed to go. “They told me to continue because they had never had issues with any Rwandan women,” she said.

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PHOTOS: South Sudanese share insights on impact of Rwandan peacekeepers