Mission accomplished

A contingent of 143 police officers, under the Formed Police Unit 2 (FPU2), yesterday returned to the country after a nine-month peacekeeping mission under the UN Mission for stabilisation in Haiti (MINUSTAH).They were supposed to be 159 in total but others remained behind to mentor those replacing them.The contingent that was led by Chief Supt Toussaint Muzezayo landed at Kigali International Airport at about 11:49am aboard Air Europa.They were welcomed by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Stanley Nsabimana, flanked by other senior police officers.FPUs, among others, provide humanitarian assistance, conduct patrols and guard VIPs and key installations.They also help in crowd control and provide security of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).Speaking to journalists shortly after arriving at the airport, the contingent commander, Muzezayo said that, they performed their duties exceptionally well during their mission.“We are happy to be back home. It’s been long since we left our country,” he said.“We participated in community work (Umuganda) with the local communities in Haiti and as well as community policing.”The maiden FPU contingent comprising of 160 police officers was deployed in Haiti in January 30, 2011 and was replaced by the same number under FPU2 on December 15, 2011.