Yesterday, the Central African Republic (CAR) welcomed 634 new soldiers, including 55 females, into its Armed Forces (FACA) after they completed seven months of rigorous basic military training.
The training, conducted by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) in collaboration with FACA, culminated in a pass-out ceremony held at Camp Kassaï military barracks in Bangui city.
The ceremony was presided over by Prof Faustin Archange Touadera, President of the Central African Republic, and attended by Maj. Gen. Vincent Nyakarundi, the RDF Army Chief of Staff.
President Touadera expressed his appreciation for the robust military partnership between Rwanda and CAR, highlighting the positive outcomes of their collaboration. He specifically thanked his Rwandn counterpart, Paul Kagame, and the RDF leadership for their unwavering support.
President Touadera acknowledged the recent success of trained young soldiers currently serving in FACA, emphasizing that the training took place both in Rwanda and CAR.
He praised the partnership for its role in enhancing the capabilities of CAR’s military forces.
Maj. Gen. Zephlin Mamadou, Chief of General Staff of the Central African Armed Forces, welcomed the new soldiers to join their colleagues who graduated last year in protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.
He expressed gratitude to President Kagame for the unconditional military cooperation between Rwanda and CAR, noting the positive results achieved.
“This graduation marks the second battalion trained by military instructors from the Rwanda Defence Force, with the ultimate objective of preventing the activities of the enemies of peace. I have no doubt that the skills acquired during this course will help in protecting the country and its people,” stated Maj. Gen. Mamadou.
Maj. Gen. Nyakarundi emphasized that the Basic Military Training program is a result of the initiative by the two Heads of State and aims to develop professional soldiers equipped with the skills, techniques, and knowledge required to operate effectively in both peacetime and wartime.
The graduation ceremony featured demonstrations of various skills acquired over the past seven months, including firing skills, map reading, and martial arts, showcasing the comprehensive training the new soldiers underwent.
The successful completion of this training program marks a significant step in strengthening CAR’s military capabilities and highlights the enduring cooperation between Rwanda and the Central African Republic in promoting regional peace and security.
