Kagame’s approach to peace, security beyond Rwandan boarders

Author: Emma Mukasa

• 2023-03-28 05:03:00

After successfully leading the struggle that put an end to the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994 when the world was silently watching, and restoring peace and security in Rwanda, President Paul Kagame, chose to never be indifferent when war crimes are committed elsewhere.

His response towards protecting civilians in troubled countries has always been swift. The visionary leader has timely deployed troops in numerous missions under bilateral agreements or UN peacekeeping missions around Africa.

The narrative of “it’s too late to do anything” does not exist for Kagame.  The Mozambique and Central African Republic security crisis cases are proof of that.

Since 2017, the Islamic State-linked terrorists locally known as Alshabab and Ansar Al Sunna had wreaked havoc in the Mozambican Province of Cabo Delgado, where they killed hundreds of people, overran towns and sent thousands of expatriates out.

All efforts used by Mozambican government including hiring a South African private military contractor, the Dyck Advisory Group, and the Russian mercenary, Wagner Group, to quell the terrorism failed. The terrorists continued sweeping through the country’s north.

Maputo tried Kigali and asked for help in late April 2021. After only two months on July 9, 2021, Rwanda deployed 1,000 security personnel to Cabo Delgado Province to end the violence, stabilize the region and restore state authority.

Despite the gravity of the problem, in one month, Rwanda and Mozambique managed to take control of all the territories in the hands of the jihadist insurgents.

In areas where Rwandan and Mozambican troops operated jointly, including the terrorists’ major stronghold in Moçimboa-da-Praia, with an airfield that served as the main supply or entry point, and a port which was used to smuggle wood and drugs, the terrorists were totally denied room for maneuver.

To date, life has returned to normal, as citizens are in their villages, students went back to school, children play safely and people started working striving to rebuild from scratch.

Considering Rwanda’s dark history as a lesson, Kagame’s primary focus is an immediate response to situations that warrant the protection of civilians at risk, wherever they ask for help.

Inside Rwanda’s bilateral, multilateral interventions to bring peace in conflict areas

Why Is Rwanda in Mozambique?

The Central African Republic also witnessed his commitment to restoring peace in the country. Prior to the country’s presidential election, in December 2020, at CAR’s request, Rwanda deployed troops in the country to quell election violence, protect peacekeepers and counter rebels (commanded by former President François Bozizé) who were advancing towards the capital, Bangui, blocking the city’s main supply routes.

Within a month, not only did Rwandan soldiers beat the rebel blockade of the capital but ultimately captured the rebel stronghold. They halted the violence, protected peacekeepers and secured CAR's Presidential elections.

Rwandan troops’ culture of hard work and discipline has enabled them to deter violence and killings, restore state authority, ensure the security of high-level authorities and secured strategic sites both in Mozambique and in CAR.

For President Kagame, Rwanda is a small country with big heart. It is always eager to share the little it has with others, helping them to solve their problems.

Ten years after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda was the first African country to deploy a contingent, 155 soldiers, under the then African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) in 2004, to restore order in Darfur. Later, Rwandans also went on to do a lot in South Sudan -under United Nation peacekeeping missions- where they still operate.

The United Nations has commended Rwanda’s commitment to global peace and stabilization, labeling it “the giant of peacekeeping” notwithstanding its small size.

Currently, Rwanda is the fourth biggest troops contributing country in support of UN mandates - with almost 6,000 security personnel deployed under different peacekeeping missions.