Peacekeeping
“The central purpose of peace operations is the protection of civilians. This cannot be said often enough. It is not the protection of peace agreements or UN mandates, even peacekeepers for that matter, much less the protection of politicians. The mission is to protect the ordinary people most at risk”. H.E President Paul KAGAME, during international peace conference on the protection of civilians held in Kigali 28-29, May 2015.
Rwanda’s Peacekeeping Efforts
Rwanda is currently the 3rd largest Police and Troop contributor to UN Peacekeeping operations. Rwandan peacekeepers are currently engaged in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
Troop Contributions
Police Contributions
Rwanda currently deploys the highest number of women peacekeepers in UN missions.
Background: Rwanda’s Peacekeeping Missions: Promoting Global Peace and Security
Rwanda’s long-lasting commitment to peacekeeping is informed by the tragic history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, where the country faced desertion by the international community.
Our painful history and belief in people’s innate dignity reinforce our determination to protect civilians everywhere, and taking part in peacekeeping missions around the world and supporting vulnerable communities is enshrined in our Constitution. .
It was in this regard that the RDF was the first peace-keeping contingent to deploy in Darfur in 2004 and the Central African Republic in 2014. As an active member of the international community, the Rwandan Government has so far participated in different initiatives designed to bring about the peaceful settlement of disputes and resolution of conflicts, such as:
As a matter of policy, Rwanda does not limit its involvement in peace support operations to the deployment of troops but also provides good offices, specialist support, or facilities. Rwandan troops also engage in peacebuilding and development activities, including the construction of schools and assisting in agricultural production. These projects, rooted in Rwanda’s domestic approach, are designed to secure and care for vulnerable communities in a holistic manner.
Rwanda's mission in Mozambique
At the request of the government of Mozambique, Rwanda deployed on 9 July 2021, a Joint Force made of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Rwanda National Police (RNP) to Cabo Delgado, a province affected by terrorism and insecurity.
The Joint Force alongside Mozambique Armed Defence Forces (FADM) and forces from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in designated sectors of responsibility to restore Mozambican state authority by conducting combat and security operations, as well as stabilization and security-sector reform.
The deployment is based on the good bilateral relations between Rwanda and Mozambique after signing several agreements between the two countries in 2018 and Rwanda’s commitment to the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine.
Rwanda's mission in Central African Republic
Rwandan forces in the Central African Republic (CAR) serve under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and on a bilateral basis.
Since 2014, Rwandan peacekeepers have constituted the majority of MINUSCA’s force. Rwandan peacekeepers protect civilians, maintain peace and security in CAR, and run a level 2 hospital. As of June 2022, Rwanda contributes 1,698 soldiers and 520 police officers to the mission.
In December 2020, Rwanda deployed force protection troops to the Central African Republic on a bilateral agreement on defense in response to the targeting of the UN Peacekeeping force by rebels.