Parly appreciates Rwanda police

Sunday Mail Correspondent

Members of Zimbabwe Parliament’s Thematic Committee on Peace and Security recently familiarised themselves with operations of the Rwanda National Police (RNP) in order to get an appreciation of the East African country’s internal security management through community policing and contribution to peacekeeping missions.

The delegation visited RNP’s General Headquarters in Kigali, where they were received by Inspector General of Police Mr Dan Munyuza.

The head of the delegation, Dr David Parirenyatwa, said Rwanda is an example of what a dynamic state can become.

“We recognised that Rwanda has gone through a very tough period, which was a very painful experience, and we have come to learn how the country overcame that situation, and its peacekeeping experience,” said Dr Parirenyatwa following the visit.

“No country can advance without peace and security and to me, I have the feeling that Rwanda is a huge example of what a dynamic state can become.”

The meeting was also attended by Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Rwanda Dr Charity Manyeruke.

Mr Munyuza briefed the Zimbabwean delegation on RNP history since it was formed 21 years ago. He reiterated the force’s commitment to sharing knowledge on Rwanda’s journey to sustainable peace and security.

RNP was established in June 2000 after the merger of three agencies – Gendarmerie, which was under Ministry of Defence; Police Communale under Ministry of Internal Affairs; and Judicial Police under Ministry of Justice.

The move was meant to create an organised, well-coordinated and professional police force to effectively deal with security challenges.

“RNP started with a force of 3 000 personnel and gradually built its capacity and capability, and the strength has since grown to more than five-fold,” Mr Munyuza said.

“Over the years, RNP, in partnership with other government agencies, has been at the forefront of ensuring that people in Rwanda are safe, secure and involved. RNP has put in place an ‘all-inclusive’ approach to people’s safety through community-centred policing.

“The strategic guidance from President of the Republic, H.E Paul Kagame, to RNP has been that, for a country to develop and progress, her citizens must be involved in policy formulation and implementation at all levels. This is why we have always partnered with the population in the fight against crime and keeping Rwanda safe and secure.”

RNP, he added, has been at the forefront of not only ensuring security at home, but also abroad in peacekeeping missions.

It is currently participating in four peacekeeping missions in Central African Republic (CAR), South Sudan, Abyei and Haiti. It also has a force fighting terrorism in Mozambique.

“In an effort to combat emerging, organised and transnational crimes, RNP continues to establish cooperation with other police institutions in the region and beyond. So far, we have signed over 15 Memorandums of Understanding with various police institutions. RNP looks forward to further cooperation agreements with other police forces, including Zimbabwe police, to join efforts in fighting contemporary security challenges,” Mr Munyuza said.