Rwanda National Police

The Rwanda Formed Police Unit One (RWAFPU1-7) contingent deployed in Malakal, Upper Nile State under the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) conducted a week-long training for the local police to equip them with skills in various policing disciplines.

The training, which concluded on Saturday, April 29, was attended by 80 officers from various units of South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS), deployed in Malakal.

The Rwandan peacekeepers trained their counterparts in crowd control, when to use force and provision of First Aid.

Crowd control looked at three aspects; peaceful, hostile and aggressive demonstrations.

The deputy Police commissioner for Malakal, Major General Chol Atem Jongeth, commended the "practical cooperation" between the Rwandan Police peacekeepers and the South Sudan Police.

"Rwanda and South Sudan Police institutions enjoy good working relations, especially in training. Here in Malakal, you have continued to preserve that good legacy to share with us your policing experience and skills," Maj. Gen. Chol said.

He reminded the trained officers to put the acquired skills to good use and to share them with others.

The Rwanda FPU contingent commander, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Prudence Ngendahimana reminded the trainees that training is continuous.

"Our primary responsibility as peacekeepers is to protect civilians and key UNMISS installations but also to support the local people in human security activities and capacity development for the South Sudan Police.

We work well with the South Sudan Police and always committed to share with you the knowledge and skills," SSP Ngendahimana said.

One of the trainees, Second Lieutenant Jal Deng Chol, said that the course is crucial as it provided them with the required knowledge and skills to respond to common security issues.

"This is the second training that the Rwandan peacekeepers have conducted and we are gaining a lot to ensure law and order, community policing and Umuganda (communal work) to support community development and to give back to the people as our partners, environmental protection and fighting gender based violence," Deng said.

Rwanda FPU-1 of 240 officers is the seventh rotation since the maiden contingent was deployed in Malakal in 2015.