Rwanda has brought unimaginable positive results to the Central African Republic ever since the former first sent troops to Bangui, in 2013.

Rwanda is currently the largest troop contributor to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

Despite the narrative being widely dispersed by Rwanda’s detractors, what Rwandan peacekeepers have done in the conflict torn country is an almost incredible tale of triumph, and self-sacrifice. Rwanda’s highly disciplined and well-trained troops  are improving security in several parts of the country.

That’s how Rwanda has become highly influential in the CAR.

The main provider of blue helmets for the UN mission in the country, Kigali also dispatched soldiers under a bilateral agreement. In December 2020, Rwanda deployed “force protection troops” to the Central African Republic – under a bilateral agreement on defence – in response to the targeting of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) contingent under the  UN Peacekeeping force by rebels supported by former president François Bozize.

The Rwandan troops then also contributed to ensuring peaceful and secure general elections scheduled on December 27, 2020, twenty-two months after a peace agreement which was reached between the government and 14 armed groups.

For the past 10 years, Rwandan peacekeepers have enormously contributed in ensuring the peace and stability of CAR; first under the AU and later under a UN mandate.

Rwandan peacekeepers have mandate to protect the country’s VVIPs including President Faustin-Archange Touadéra. The Rwandan troops secured Bangui M’Poko International Airport, protect and secure MINUSCA HQs and the entire capital.

In line with the restoration of state authority, Rwandan peacekeepers contributed in securing the north-eastern part of CAR in Vakaga and Haute-Kotto Prefectures, where there was no state authority for more than two decades.

Rwanda, one of the continent’s smallest countries is also one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping.

UN leaders have often noted how it is particularly commendable that a nation that has endured the worst atrocities – the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi- should risk its soldiers to ensure those atrocities cannot happen elsewhere.

For post-genocide Rwanda, it is service born of sacrifice. 

Rwanda’s commitment to UN peacekeeping is unquestionable. Rwanda knows exactly what genocide means and that’s why when the UN sounded the alarm in Central African Republic, in November 2013, Rwanda moved and sent troops to protect the population there.

Rwanda’s commitment to UN peacekeeping is informed by what happened in the 1994 genocide. Rwanda’s conviction is stronger. Kigali cannot allow something like that to happen ever again, in any place of the world.

It is a noble, but dangerous mission.

On July 10, a Rwandan soldier was killed while combating rebels in in Sam-Ouandja, Haute-Kotto Prefecture.

Rwandan peacekeepers based in Bossembélé are also in charge of securing the country’s main supply road (MSR1) connecting the capital Bangui with both the country and the closest port, in Cameroon. Rwandan peacekeepers escort trucks to and from Bangui, enabling the supply of Bangui in particular and CAR in general.

In the past, before Kigali intervened, the disruption of the MSR1 supply route prevented the safe movement of commercial goods with a large share of the country’s good being imported.

At some point, especially in mid-December 2020, over 1,500 trucks were estimated to be stuck at the border with Cameroon, including 500 trucks with critical UN and partners’ supplies, such as food, medicines, and non-food items.

Rwandan blue helmets and special forces – under bilateral security pact – wherever they are deployed also participate in high impact social activities that benefit the population. They construct houses for needy people, provide accessible and clean water to the population and refurbish schools and hospitals. They also participate in weekly communal work activities “Umuganda” in different parts of the country.

Following the resumption of rebellion by the Bozize-led CPC on the eve of the December 2020 presidential and legislative elections, Rwanda deployed forces under bilateral agreement.

They successfully secured the elections, protected public institutions against a probable unconstitutional coup.

The rebels attempted to capture the capital on January 13, 2021 but were repulsed by Rwandan soldiers.  

Furthermore, the Rwandan forces operating under the bilateral security pact are supporting CAR in Security Sector Reform (SSR). They have, since June 2023, started to train the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) new recruits.