South Sudan Army Chief in Rwanda
Kigali, 8 Sept 2015
The Chief of General Staff of Sudanese Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA), Gen Paul Malong Awan and his delegation is in Rwanda on a four day official visit from 7-10 September 2015.
On Tuesday 8 September 2015, the SPLA CGS paid courtesy calls on Hon Minister of Defence, Gen James Kabarebe and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Patrick Nyamvumba at RDF Headquarters, Kimihurura. The SPLA delegation was briefed on RDF and its role in post-conflict and national development.
The SPLA CGS said “ My visit is very selective, I have selected to visit Rwanda Defence Forces, to share with them their experience, see their facilities with confidence that what we get will serve our purpose as we build our young nation, because we share a common background of armed struggle†said Gen Paul Malong Awan.
The SPLA CGS and delegation visited Rwanda Military Academy Gako where they toured the Academy and had a presentation on the vision and mission of the Military Academy. RMA Gako conducts a 4 year cadet degree program, a 1 year cadet course, and the Peace Support Operations pre-deployment training program.
The SPLA which trains some of its Officers at RDF Military Institutions is seeking to enhance military partnership with Rwanda Defence Forces.
On Monday 7 September 15, the CGS and his delegation visited Kigali Genocide Memorial Center where they paid respect to the victims of 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and learnt more on how the genocide was planned and executed.
During their four day visit, they will visit other Defence Institutions and Installations including Zigama CSS, Military Medical Insurance, Rwanda Military Hospital and RDF Command and Staff College at Nyakinama.
Rwanda maintains two Infantry Battalions and Aviation Unit in United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
