Rwanda holds meeting on lessons of Darfur peacekeeping operations

March 17, 2008 (KIGALI) — The Rwandan army organises a four-day conference on the lessons of the African Union peacekeeping operation and the current Hybrid Operation in Darfur.

Army officers from 17 African countries have arrived to Kigali to participate in a workshop on the experience of multi-national peace support operations with Darfur as a case study.

In a press release issued by the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF), the meeting, which is the first of its kind, is expected to focus on the current international peace operations in Darfur and Somalia.

“The workshop will provide an opportunity to veterans of peace support operations to offer their insights, practical problems and solutions,” the RDF release said.

The meeting is organised under the auspices of African Contingency Operations and Training Assistance Programme (ACOTA), which is a United States program to train military trainers and equip African national militaries to conduct peace support operations and humanitarian relief.

“Learning organisation becomes relevant to the future by analyzing developing trends and issues, scanning the environment for changes, challenges and opportunities, then devise ways to control emergent conditions,” the release says.

The Rwandan army spokesman Maj. Jill Rutaremara, said the workshop will be opened by the Army Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Charles Kayonga.

Rwanda has been an active supporter of the peace operation in Darfur since 2004 and currently a Rwandan officer, Maj. Gen. Karenzi Karake is the Deputy Force Commander of the 26, 000 strong UNAMID.

(ST)