A total of 254 officers and other ranks from the Central African Republic Armed Forces (FACA) completed a six-month special operations training course conducted by Rwanda Defence Force (RDF).

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The graduation ceremony was presided over by RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Mubarakh Muganga, alongside Gen Zephirin Mamadou, Chief of General Staff of the FACA, at the RDF Basic Military Training Centre in Nasho, Kirehe District, on Monday, November 2.

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The trainees acquired advanced tactical skills, including marksmanship with small arms and support weapons, hand-to-hand combat, river and water crossing, military map reading and heliborne operations, among other specialised skills, the RDF said.

Muganga commended the graduates’ commitment, discipline, resilience and determination throughout the rigorous course.

He also encouraged them to uphold the professional standards they had acquired, serve their country with dedication and apply their newly acquired capabilities responsibly.

Muganga also reaffirmed RDF&039;s commitment to sharing its experience and expertise with friendly armed forces as part of collective efforts to promote peace, security and stability across Africa.

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On his part, Mamadou recognized the government of Rwanda, RDF leadership and instructors for their commitment, professionalism and support throughout the training of CAR soldiers.

He said the skills, discipline and knowledge acquired by the FACA personnel would strengthen their ability to fulfil their duties effectively and contribute to security and stability in the Central African Republic.

Second Lieutenant Christ Ngboundourou, one of the graduates, pledged to put the skills acquired in Rwanda into practice to defend his country and compatriots.

The training is part of broader defence cooperation between Rwanda and the Central African Republic, which has included military deployments and security sector reforms.

Rwanda and CAR have maintained security cooperation since 2014, when Rwanda first deployed troops to the country under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

Rwandan forces have since contributed to protecting civilians, supporting stability and safeguarding key national institutions and facilities under the UN mission.

The partnership expanded in December 2020, when Rwanda deployed troops under a bilateral defence agreement, complementing its contribution to MINUSCA and establishing a separate framework for direct military cooperation.

Cooperation has also extended to training CAR soldiers, police officers and gendarmes to strengthen the country's security institutions.

In February 2024, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation in policing and internal security.