The United Nations Deputy Police Advisor, Shaowen Yang, on August 4 visited Rwanda Formed Police Units (RWAFPU) peacekeepers serving under the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA) at their base camp in the capital Bangui.

Yang’s visit was aimed at helping peacekeepers from different countries to work together and support in building the capacity of the local police.

The visit was characterized by joint exercises performed by five Formed Police Unit contingents from countries operating in Bangui and the local Police.

Present was also Euphrem Gosta, Director General of the Central African Police, MINUSCA Police Commissioner Luis Miguel Carrilho and heads of other Police component serving in CAR.

The exercise focused on managing demonstrations in deteriorated situations, and special operations.

Yang commended the "high level of professionalism, performance, team spirit and good cooperation” demonstrated by the peacekeepers.

He urged them to continue with the spirit of unity to ensure stability and safety for the people of CAR.

The delegation also toured RWAFPU installations and capabilities which facilitate their daily operations.

Carrilho commended the "excellent performance, discipline and professionalism” of Rwandan peacekeepers in their mission areas and particularly thanked the country as an "important police contributing country in UN missions.

Rwanda is the second leading contributor of Police peacekeepers with currently over 1000. Over 450 of them are in CAR.

In his speech, Luis Miguel Carrilho thanked all units for the discipline and teamwork to restore peace and stability in CAR.

He appealed that they maintain discipline and respect human rights and UN standards.

Gosta emphasized the need for capacity building to build a strong and professional local police force capable of handling policing challenges.

The contingent commander of Rwandan police peacekeepers in CAR, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Gilbert R. Gumira, who received the UN team, in his presentation, covered various aspects of general security, operational capabilities, and areas of responsibility, routine activities and achievements so far.

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