EASF Director Commends Rwanda Centers of Excellence

The 17th day of October 2017 saw the EASF Director, Dr. Abdillahi Omar Bouh visit some national security and high ranking training institutions in Rwanda in a bid to enhance the existing smooth working relationship between them and the EASF Secretariat.

At the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) Headquarters in Kimuhurura, Kigali, Dr Bouh was welcomed by Rwanda Minister for Defence Mr. James Kabarebe, accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Patrick Nyamvumba. The visit aimed at updating the Ministry of Defence and RDF's leadership on the progress of the preparations for the upcoming Field Training Exercise (FTX) that will be conducted in the Republic of the Sudan in November 2017. The Director explained to the defence leaders how FTX 2017 was designed in order to make it a rigorous test of EASF’s readiness to deploy in a crisis situation and successfully conclude a peace keeping mission.

During the visit to the Rwanda National Police Headquarters, Dr. Bouh was received by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Emmanuel K. Gasana. The two leaders underscored the important role played by the Police Training School (PTS) in Gishari, Rwanda. The school has up to now been offering numerous trainings to hundreds of police officers from many countries through the support of different entities including EASF. Dr. Bouh maintained that improved cooperation and enhanced capacity building will have a direct impact on efficiency of peacekeepers thus ensuring that peace is maintained in the region and beyond.

Other visits on the Director’s schedule included the Rwanda Peace Academy, Rwanda Military Academy and the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre where he paid respects to the victims of the 1994 Genocide.

The EASF Director was accompanied by the EASF Joint Chief of Staff, Brigadier General (Dr.) Charles Rudakubana.

Photo Gallery: EASF Director Visits Centers of Exellence in Rwanda