RPA conducts a course on protection of civilians in peacekeeping operations

Twenty military commanders, Police officers and civilians from seven countries in the region are undergoing a one week course on “Protection of Civilians in Peacekeeping Operations”.

The training was opened on November 10 at Rwanda Peace Academy (RPA) Headquarters, Nyakinama in Musanze District.

While opening the course, Col Jill Rutaremara, RPA Director said that the protection of civilians is a key indicator of the effectiveness and success of any peacekeeping operation.

He underlined that “lack of protection of civilians has resulted in gross violations and abuse of the rights of individuals and communities namely; loss of life, injury, forced recruitment, abductions, sexual violence, and psychological trauma.”

Dr. Andreas Anderson, trainer at UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) who is also the facilitator in this course said that the trainees will benefit knowledge to train for future peacekeeping operations.

The knowledge will also help them in their duties when in peacekeeping missions, he said.

The course was preceded by a one week Training of Trainers program on protection of civilians in peacekeeping operations also facilitated by UNITAR.

Participants are Military and Police Senior Officers as well as Civilians decision makers from Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.