Rwanda National Police

The director of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) Ambassador Ismail Chanfi has praised Rwanda’s readiness and preparedness to the success of regional organization and to enhance peace and security in the region.

Chanfi said this on November 6 at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) headquarters in Kacyiru where he led a delegation from the regional body to evaluate the RNP readiness for the regional body mission.

“We were more convinced that Rwanda is ready…we were just asked to come; we know how Rwanda is dedicated to the success of EASF,” Chanfi said, shortly before inspecting the RNP mission capabilities.

“We are confident what we are doing, as human beings, is the best for our people,” he added.

The EASF composed of ten countries is one of the five regional multidimensional Forces of the African Standby Force (ASF) consisting of Military, Police and Civilian components. It was established as a regional mechanism to provide capability for rapid deployment of forces to carry out preventive deployment, rapid intervention, peace support or stability operations and peace enforcement.  

Member countries are Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, Seychelles, Sudan, Comoros, Ethiopia, Somalia and Rwanda.

Chanfi and his delegation also inspected the RNP equipment including vehicles, ammunition, medication and personnel that are on standby for deployment.
Member countries that pledged to contribute forces and equipment to this force must be ready by the end of December 2014.

Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police Damas Gatare said RNP is well prepared for the deployment.

“They assessed and evaluated the personnel, equipment that are ready for deployment and we are very confident and ready to deploy at any time,” ACP Gatare said.  

The force has a contingent of 140 police officers under Formed Police Unit (FPU) and one hundred Individual Police Officers (IPOs) ready for deployment.

FPU will be, among others responsibilities, conduct escort duties, VIP protection and civilian protection while IPOs will be acting as mentors, trainers, observers and advisers.

RNP which started its peacekeeping operations in 2005 is already involved in nine peacekeeping missions with over 560 police peacekeepers.