British Peace Support Team happy with Peace Academy strides

Col. Richard Leakey, head of the British Peace Support Team for East Africa has commended the progress made by Rwanda Peace Academy (RPA); a senior military school located in Musanze District Northern Province of the country.

The British senior military officer made the observation while speaking to the press on Monday during his visit to the Rwanda Peace Academy in Muanze District.

Col. Jules Rutaremara, head of Rwanda Peace Academy (RPA) shakes hand with Col. Richard Leakey the head of British Peace Support Team in East Africa

According to Col. Jules Rutaremara the head of RPA, the British officers’ visit intended to consolidate the cooperation between British and Rwanda in peace keeping missions in the World.

“Their visit aims at strengthening ties and training together as part of peace keeping in the World,” He said.

The British Peace Support Team leader and his team were shown around the RPA, briefed about the training conducted and modern military equipment available to enhance peacekeeping missions.

Military Officers from the British Peace Support Team being briefed about RPA

 Col. Leakey expressed his satisfaction with the level at which RPA has reached after seeing the school’s building, equipment and various trainings offered. He pointed out that the RPA future in the World’s peacekeeping arena is promising.

“I am very grateful of the information and what I have personally seen here, I am sure the RPA future is stable. I thank students undergoing these trainings here for peacekeeping in the World,” he remarked. 

Col. Rutaremara making a presentation

Col. Rutaremara said it is good for such high ranking visitors to know what RPA does and what challenges it faces for them to know where they can give a supporting hand

According to Col. Leakey, the main reason for the visit and cooperation is to see r how to better retain and maintain peace in the World, find out what RPA does and where British team can offer its support.

Col. Richard Leakey signs in the visitor’s book

For 15 years, Britain has been supporting East African countries in capacity building for peace keeping.

The cooperation between RPA and British Support Team as well as other East African nations gains much in training and facilitation that enables keeping peace, a service that is increasingly being demanded in the World.