The Police Commissioner for the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Bruce Munyambo, visited the Rwanda Formed Police Unit (FPU) base-camp in Malakal region on Monday as he started his initial inspection of all units of peacekeepers in the world’s newest nation since taking over office late last month.

Munyambo, who was accompanied by United Nations Police (UNPOL) chief of staff Girmay Gebrekidan, among other UN officials, was received by Rogers Rutikanga, the contingent commander of Rwandan peacekeepers in South Sudan.

The visit, which will continue to all other units, was aimed at assessing the effectiveness and readiness of the units as means to respond to any likely challenges faced by peacekeepers in executing their mandates.

Munyambo lauded the "impact of the peacekeepers in restoring security and peace in South Sudan” and staying focused despite the existing challenging situations.

"It is even challenging to spend a whole year well focused on such a mission that has no break, but we have no doubt about your performance despite such challenges because you were well trained and brought up to such tasks; exercise patience… the people of South Sudan and your country expect a lot from you,” Munyambo said while briefing the Rwandan peacekeepers.

After a detailed presentation on the achievements and readiness of the Rwandan FPU contingent by the contingent commander Rutikanga, the Police Commissioner went on to inspect the Police posts in Malakal camp, which hosts about 42,000 internally displaced persons, and distribution areas in the camp, which include food and scholastic materials stores.

Rwanda maintains about 200 police peacekeepers in South Sudan.

He also witnessed all that was destroyed in Malakal during the recent tribal clashes between Dinkas and Nuers.

Later, he held a meeting with community leaders in the IDP camp, comforted them and urged them to work as a team in the camp and partner with the Rwandan peacekeepers, who are charged with the protection of the camp, to ensure their security.

Rutikanga, who acknowledged UNMISS closeness and support, also thanked UNPOL and Correction Service for their strong existing partnership with the Rwanda Formed Police Unit contingent.

Munyambo later travelled to Upper Nile state where he held another meeting with the state’s coordinator, Hazel De Wet.

De Wet commended the "strong team spirit” between UNPOL and FPU in securing Malakal.

The Police Commissioner concluded his tour with a meeting of heads and senior police peacekeepers from different countries and commended them for the good work in the challenging environment of Malakal.

"Continue with the spirit of good work and dedication, as UNMISS we will also continue to support you in all possible ways to realise your mission mandate,” Munyambo said.

He will continue his tour in Bentiu in northern Unity state.

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