Rwanda National Police

A contingent of 140 Police officers under Formed Police Unit (FPU) is set to depart to Mali on Monday for a one year peacekeeping operation under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (Minusma).

The contingent will replace the same number of officers under FPU1 headed by Chief Superintendent Bertin Mutezintare, who were deployed in the West African nation in November last year and scheduled to return next week.

The FPU2 led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Jean Baptiste Seminega, includes 21 females and will be based in the northern city of Gao.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations, Dan Munyuza, during the pre-deployment briefing on November 7, challenged the officers to always be on “standby and focused to their mission mandate.”

“Be result-oriented, represent your country in a professional and dedicated manner and uphold the Rwandan values,” DIGP Munyuza said.

He appealed to them to exhibit teamwork and partners with other peacekeepers to restore hope, peace and stability in Mali.

The mandate of FPU includes protection of VIPs, security of key installations, escort duties crowd control and humanitarian assistance.

The contingent commander, ACP Jean Baptiste Seminega said the force prepared well for the mission and to cope with the mission challenges.

“We will continue from where our colleagues stopped for the good of Malians and Africa in general,” ACP Seminega said.

The returning contingent comes home with respect from Malians for their outstanding contribution, which went beyond just peacekeeping to supporting the local vulnerable groups.

In February this year, the returning officers, out of the financial contribution of each of the officer, donated an assortment of scholastic materials and clothes to vulnerable pupils of Ecole fondamentale de Boulgoundjie located in GAO city.

The beneficiaries are those that were either orphaned or separated from their families during the 2012 rebellion in North Mali.

Rwanda National Police currently maintains over 560 officers in nine peacekeeping missions.