The United Nations gave medals to 320 Rwandan Police peacekeepers working in the Central African Republic (CAR). These officers are part of the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA). They received the medals on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The UN wanted to thank them for their hard work in keeping peace, stability, and safeguarding civilians in CAR.
Among the honored officers, 139 are from the ninth rotation of the Rwanda Formed Police Unit One (RWAFPU1-9). Additionally, there are 140 personnel from the eighth rotation of the Rwanda Protection Support Unit (PSU1-8), and 41 Rwandan officers serving as Individual Police Officers (IPO).
The Formed Police Units have many duties. They do escort duties, manage public order, and protect civilians, UN personnel, and facilities. The Protection Support Unit’s job is to protect important government and UN officials, including the Prime Minister, the Minister of Justice, SRSG, and the Head of MINUSCA Police Component. The Individual Police Officers act as advisors and mentors.
During the medal awarding ceremony, Commissioner of Police Christophe Bizimungu, the MINUSCA Head of Police Component, expressed gratitude to the police officers. He thanked them for their dedication to the mission mandate. He particularly appreciated their efforts in escorting and protecting CAR officials, UN personnel, and magistrates of the Special Criminal Court of Bangui.
Bizimungu also praised the officers for their support to local communities. They engaged in various initiatives such as blood donation, free medical consultation and treatment, donation of medicines, communal work (Umuganda), and supplying clean water to vulnerable families.
“Maintain the humanitarian spirit and commitment for the remaining days of your tour-of-duty,” Bizimungu encouraged the officers.
The ceremony included Commissioner Bizimungu pinning medals on deserving officers. This act symbolized the UN’s appreciation for their service in the Central African Republic.
