A Rwandan soldier who is serving in a United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), was shot dead in an ambush by armed terrorist militias on Monday, Rwandan Army confirmed on Tuesday.
Rwanda is the fourth biggest troop-contributing country with 4,585 military personnel in support of the UN peacekeeping operations in South Sudan (UNMISS) and MINUSCA.
In 2020, Rwanda deployed force protection troops to the Central African Republic, under an existing bilateral agreement on defence.
The deployment was in response to the targeting of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) contingent under the UN Peacekeeping force by rebels supported by François Bozize.
Part of the Rwandan troops was also to contribute to ensuring a peaceful and secure general election scheduled on 27 December that year, twenty-two months after the peace agreement which was reached between the government and fourteen armed groups.
A statement released by Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) on Monday morning, said the army is mourning its fallen soldier, reiterating its continued commitment to the protection of civilians within the mandate of MINUSCA.
“The Rwanda Defence Force is deeply saddened by the death of a Rwandan peacekeeper serving under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), following an attack on MINUSCA patrol on 10 July 2023 by armed elements, near Sam- Ouandja, Haute- Kotto Province, North Eastern, CAR,” RDF said.
“The RDF firmly condemns the attack and expresses its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the fallen peacekeeper. RDF peacekeepers remain committed to the protection of civilians within the mandate of MINUSCA, and the other peacekeeping missions under which our troops serve.”
