Rwanda deploys 80 police officers for peacekeeping in S. Sudan

March 31, 2021 (KIGALI) – A contingent of 80 Rwandan police officers on Tuesday departed for a one-year peacekeeping mission under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The Formed Police Unit Three (FPU-3) replaced another unit which was deployed to at the UN mission in the country in March last year.

The 80 officers had, prior to their departure, spent 14 days in quarantine, tested negative for COVID-19 and given test certificate.

Stationed in Malakal, Upper Nile State, the FPU-3 is largely charged with protection of civilians in internally displaced camps, UN personnel, security of key installations and humanitarian assistance.

UNMISS was established on 8 July 2011 by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1996 (2011).

Currently, almost 20,000 peacekeepers serve with UNMISS to protect civilians and build durable peace in the conflict-affected country. The civilian, police and military personnel from 73 countries carry out many duties under the mandate provided by the Security Council.

(ST)