RDF has redefined military–civilian relationship

Editor,As a Rwandan citizen, I am so proud of our armed forces. The men and women in green have redefined the military, particularly in this part of the world where soldiers were long known as brutal and callous elements, who lived off the sweat of unarmed, vulnerable civilians, through looting and property grabbing.For so long, I considered soldiers as agents of oppression and dictatorship as opposed to peace and development.Yet over the last 18 years, the Rwanda Defence Forces have proved me wrong. After defeating the genocidal regime and pacifying the entire country, the RDF joined their compatriots in directly participating in recovery process, and later, in the development agenda.The RDF men and women have used their hands and equipment to construct houses for the poor, schools, roads and bridges, clear drainage channels, and engage in commercial farming, thus directly playing a part in the country’s development. They continue to provide free treatment to the sick, and respond rapidly in the event of tragedies to save lives!More recently, they have exported these values to other countries, including in Sudan where Rwanda maintains at least 3000 peacekeepers, mostly in Darfur. The Rwandan peacekeepers have helped consolidate peace in that region by working with the local community to construct schools, roads, water wells – infrastructure which can ease tensions among restive communities.Now the peacekeepers have joined their compatriots back home by donating towards the Agaciro Development Fund, according to this publication. (‘Peacekeepers raise Rwf75 million for Agaciro Fund’, The Sunday Times, September 30).At this pace, there is no doubt that many among our youth will increasingly admire the men and women in military uniform and join them to defend their country and support individual Rwandans to realise their rightful aspirations.Jane Umuganwa,Kacyiru

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RDF has redefined military–civilian relationship