In Bangui, Central African Republic, on Monday, August 5th, a total of 634 soldiers of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) graduated as the second cohort trained by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF).
The first cohort of 512 soldiers trained under the framework of a bilateral agreement between Rwanda and CAR graduated on November 24, 2023.
During last year’s ceremony, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra said the bilateral cooperation arrangement with Rwanda is fruitful, having helped restore peace and security in his country.
Besides President Touadéra, who is the guest of honor, and other top CAR political and military leaders, the latest graduation ceremony at Camp Kassai, a military compound on the outskirts of Bangui, was attended by RDF Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Vincent Nyakarundi.
Maj.Gen. Nyakarundi visited Rwandan peacekeepers operating in the Central African Republic on August 4th and expressed his gratitude for their exceptional efforts in ensuring the protection of the local population and updated them on the overall security situation in the region.
Rwandan troops first deployed to CAR in January 2014. Rwanda now has more than 2,000 soldiers serving in CAR under the UN Peacekeeping mission.
They protect civilians, the country’s top leaders including President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, UN personnel and equipment, as well as strategic national facilities and areas including M’Poko International Airport.
Rwanda also maintains more than 1,000 soldiers deployed in CAR under a bilateral agreement.
