Central African Republic: A peek into the outstanding job Rwandan troops are doing

Rwandan Troops in CAR

Rwandan soldiers serving under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) are the ones minding the security of senior government officials including President Faustin-Archange Touadéra. They also protect key state installations and senior UN officials there. In addition, besides protecting civilians wherever they are deployed in the vast country, Rwandan blue helmets are also charged with the huge task of securing Bangui, the capital, a job they have done very well so far.

They have foiled as well as repulsed several rebel attacks in the recent past. And they continue to ensure that despite the fear mongering instigated by enemies of the CAR government, Bangui remains a relatively calm city where shops and markets will open, and common folks will go about their daily lives without so much fear. It is a hard task.

But, clearly, the Rwanda Defense Force's (RDF) guiding beliefs or ideals prevail. With lessons from their own country's history, the Rwandans, it appears, will not give the rebels ample room for maneuver. They have, according to reports, secured all entry points into the city of Bangui - from all directions - and are ready, in conjunction with the Central African army, to thwart any rebel attempts to enter and cause chaos as happened a few days ago.

Last week, insurgents from the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), a rebel coalition led by the country's former President turned rebel leader, François Bozizé, attacked the city from three fronts but they were repulsed. Up to 37 rebels were killed. Five others were captured. Their leader, Bozizé, was in 2014 placed on a UN sanctions list for committing or supporting acts that undermined the country's peace and stability. The sanctions were in reference to his support for criminal Christian militias - the anti-Balaka groups - in 2013.

The man also faces an international arrest warrant, initiated by the CAR in 2013, accusing him of “crimes against humanity and incitement to genocide”. End last year, as the country geared to its December 27, 2020, presidential and parliamentary elections, Bozize and his coalition - comprising foreign mercenaries - plotted attacks to derail the democratic process. But the peacekeepers minding the city did not allow that to happen. The election was a success in spite of all. People, assured of their security, turned up in numbers and cast their vote.

 Rwandan troops in MINUSCA ensured a peaceful and secure general elections

Rwandan troops contributed, immensely, to ensure that a peaceful and secure general election was held on Sunday December 27, 2020. "We want peace," was the resounding phrase in the capital. But Bozize and his army of mercenaries have not yet given up. They still carry out attacks in an attempt to make the country ungovernable. Security in and around Bangui was heightened. The peacekeepers increased their alert level as efforts to rout out rebels continued.

In Bangui, reports indicate, Rwandan troops are the only ones doing foot patrols in areas where other blue helmets are not inclined to wander. The foot patrols are supported by mounted vehicles and armoured personnel carriers. Last month, the MINUSCA Force Commander, Lt Gen Daniel Sidiki Traoré, was quoted describing the Rwandan peacekeepers performance as "almost outstanding" as he said that "they are performing very well and they are necessary in the system and the process of the securitisation" of the country. "We really count on them and know that for the experience they have, they can continue to contribute very well to the lasting peace in this country," Traoré said.

A bilateral agreement, a force outside the UN system

At the end of last year, Kigali responded positively to a request from the government of the Central African Republic. Bangui, which is being negatively impacted by an arms embargo, among other problems, requested for military assistance - more boots on the ground to boost its own army's presence on the ground - and Kigali deployed force protection troops to the Central African Republic (CAR), under a bilateral agreement on defense.

Around the same time, Russia also sent in military instructors to the country to help its security forces deal with what Moscow called a "sharp degradation" of security there. Bangui was determined to ensure the December 27, 2020 poll was not disrupted by the enemies of peace, and support was sought from friendly allies.

Shortly after the election was concluded, Pesident Touadéra told journalists that he sincerely thanked his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, and the government of Rwanda for the manner in which they quickly responded to his call for help. "We are the ones who requested because the situation was very difficult and required us to seek help from brotherly countries to help us secure the election. It was an important moment in the democratic life of this country," Touadéra said. "There are two (Rwandan) contingents including the one which assures my security. And I am very satisfied. I also want to appreciate the Special Forces which are on the ground and are ensuring the security of Bangui and its environs to allow the population to freely go on with life."

Kigali also deployed its special forces to the Central African Republic in response to the targeting of the RDF contingent under the UN Mission by rebels supported by Bozize. By and large, whether they are operating within the UN system or under the bilateral agreement with the CAR government, Rwandan troops there are playing a special role in helping the country battle insurgency.

The UN Mission has lost seven peacekeepers in recent weeks since the allies of Bozizé - anti-Balaka, 3R, MPC and Unity for Peace in Central Africa (UPC) armed groups - launched coordinated and simultaneous attacks.  Analysts think the situation could have been worse than it is, had Kigali not come to the rescue.

"One Rwandan peacekeeper has already been killed, some Burundians, and now, more recently, one from Gabon and another from Morocco. But things could have been worse than this, especially in Bangui which is the rebel coalition's key target," said a security analyst who preferred anonymity. "The Rwandan troops are experienced in such situations and will be a force to reckon with when it comes to battling the rebels. The Rwandans mean business." Rwanda is one of the largest troop contributors to the UN Mission in the Central African Republic since 2014.