RDF Commandos could train in Belgium

KIMIHURURA - Commando training programmes for Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) are likely to be part of the future projects between Rwanda and Belgium as the two countries continue to strengthen military ties. Col. Eeckeloo Roony, who is heading a six-man delegation from the Belgian military, made the remarks on Thursday after meeting with Defence Minister Gen James Kabarebe at the ministry’s headquarters in Kimihurura. The team is on a three-day visit in the country to discuss future joint military commitments with their Rwandan counterparts. “We are now, for example, negotiating how many Rwandan military can do their military studies in Belgium. We are negotiating some commando military education programmes in Belgium,” Col. Roony disclosed. He said discussions will be on all kinds of military programmes “that are common between our two countries and that imply a kind of win-win situation for both our militaries”. Roony noted that Belgian doctors have in the past visited Rwanda to gain “African expertise that we don’t have in Belgium.” Before visiting the RDF headquarters, Col. Roony and his team visited and paid homage at Camp Kigali, the venue of the massacre of 10 Belgian UN Blue Berets, killed in 1994 at the height of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. On April 7, 1994, the Interahamwe militia killed the then Prime Minister, Agathe Uwilingiyimana, as well as her protection detail of 10 Belgian paratroopers. The visitors also visited the Gisozi Genocide Memorial where they paid their respects to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Ends

National

RDF Commandos could train in Belgium