The visiting US commander of US Army Africa, Maj. Gen. William B. Garrett III, has stressed that the US army is interested in strengthening its cooperation with the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF).

Garrett said this after meeting with the Chief of Land forces Lt. Gen. Charles Kayonga and other officers at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Kimihurura
"We are hoping to improve the relationship between Rwandan Defence Forces and the US army – this involves increase in interaction between our forces,” Maj. Gen. Garrett said.

Garrett who also serves as the US Army’s Southern European Task Force (SETAF) Commanding General, revealed that Rwanda’s request for more advisors, trainers and assistants for the RDF will be considered soon.

"Likewise, we hope that the Rwandan Defence Forces can also participate in our exercises. So we are hoping to increase the level of cooperation between the US and the Rwandan Defense forces.”

Maj. Gen. Garrett said that THE US army learns from RDF’s experiences in peace operations like in the UN- African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region.

"Rwanda has four battalions in Darfur and those battalions have done exceptionally well and we want to learn the lessons from our Rwandan partners – our Rwandan friends share that with us so that we can become more effective at it.”

While speaking to reporters earlier, the US officer noted that he had come to show appreciation for the RDF’s very effective participation in the ongoing Exercise Natural Fire 10 currently going on in Northern Uganda.

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