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The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba and the One UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Lamin Momodou Manneh, vowed to strengthen ties between their two institutions (Photo: Nausicaa Habimana Kantengwa)
Kigali, August 6th, 2013 – Accompanied by UNDSS Security Advisor, Mr. Edouard Tossou, UNDSS Deputy-Security Advisor, Ms. Anym Ngu-Muthi, FAO Representative, Mr. Attaher Maiga, and UNAIDS Country Coordinator, Dr Sibongile Dludlu, the One UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Lamin Momodou Manneh, paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), General Patrick Nyamvumba. Gen. Nyamvumba and Mr. Manneh discussed the need to revitalize the partnership between the One UN-Rwanda and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) on security management issues and on the support to the Rwanda Peace Academy (RPA).
The UN RC announced that the One UN is renewing support to the RPA, a project of the Ministry of Defence, which offers training courses and research programs to security organs on post-conflict peace-building challenges and processes in Africa. It would be recalled that the institution has been established as an international center of excellence in peace building. The RPA was inaugurated in 2010 with support from the Japanese Government through UNDP. The first phase of the support from the Japanese Government and the One UN to the RPA was completed in 2012 following the construction and equipping of the RPA’s facility in Nyakinama and the capacity building of RPA staff.
As Mr. Manneh stated that, future support to the RPA is going to focus mainly on 5 areas: 1) The expansion of the facility for it to accommodate larger groups of participants; 2) the provision of training to RPA personnel for them to develop adequate skills and competences to enable them to fulfill their respective mandates; 3) The creation of networks to establish collaborative relations and exchange of experience with national and international institutions as a way to spur advocacy for peace building; 4) The development of research training modules on peace building, and conflict prevention and management; as well as 5) The development of a resources generation strategy to ensure financial sustainability for the RPA. Mr. Manneh added that UNITAR and the Government of Japan both expressed interest in continuing support to the RPA. Lt. Col Jill Rutaremara, the Director of the RPA said that the budget and project proposal are still being prepared and will soon be submitted for potential funding from the UN Peacebuilding Fund.
Gen. Nyamvumba said that the RDF is looking forward strengthening the collaboration with One UN, especially with UNDSS on national security issues. He also assured the RC that the Government of Rwanda will continue to ensure the security of UN personnel in Rwanda.
On behalf of the One UN-Rwanda, the Resident Coordinator also congratulated Gen. Nyamvumba on his recent promotion to the title of General and appointment as Chief of Defence Staff and of the Rwanda Defence Force. Then Mr. Manneh concluded “the One UN in Rwanda remains committed to supporting Government of Rwanda’s efforts at maintaining peace and security in Rwanda and elsewhere in the world”.
