Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) peacekeepers remain committed to the task of protecting civilians within the mandate of the UN mission in the Central African Republic, and other peacekeeping missions under which Rwandan troops serve.

This is reiterated in a related RDF statement following 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 July 13, by elements of an armed group.

"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)," RDF said in a statement.

The attack, which has among others been condemned by the UN Secretary-General, was allegedly carried out by the Return, Reclamation and Rehabilitation (3R) armed elements who targeted a MINUSCA convoy in Gedze, Nana-Mambere prefecture in the northwest of the country.

In the statement, the RDF expressed 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."

As of April 30, 2019 UN figures indicated that Rwanda is the second largest UN troop-contributing country in the world, with 6,546 military and police personnel deployed to different peacekeeping missions in the world.

Rwanda first deployed peacekeepers to CAR in 2014.