Rwanda has strongly denied allegations of rape and sexual violence by its peacekeepers serving in the Central African Republic (CAR), following reports by The New Humanitarian and Le Monde. The articles, written by Barbara Debout, were described by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) as “demonstrably false” and lacking any factual basis.
The RDF addressed three specific cases mentioned in the reports. In one, a woman named “Jeanne,” who is described as a fruit and vegetable seller, allegedly claimed she was raped by a Rwandan peacekeeper at a base in Bangui in 2023. The RDF dismissed the claim, stating that their bases in CAR do not allow unregistered civilians without official business to enter. “No assault of a civilian could have occurred in the base,” the RDF emphasized.
In another case, a 28-year-old woman named “Grace” was alleged to have been raped in the northern town of Paoua. The RDF clarified that no Rwandan peacekeepers have ever been deployed to Paoua, making the accusation baseless.
The third allegation involved two women in Ndassima, 400 kilometers from Bangui, who were said to have been raped by Rwandan forces. The RDF responded by stating that neither Rwandan bilateral forces nor peacekeepers from the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) have ever been deployed in that area.
The RDF condemned any form of sexual violence against civilians and reiterated that it takes all accusations against its troops seriously. The force highlighted that in the town of Bria, where sexual assaults had previously been reported, local civilians confirmed that such incidents stopped following the deployment of Rwandan troops.
“The discipline, reputation, and effectiveness of Rwandan peacekeepers is not in question,” the RDF said in a statement. The RDF underscored that for over 20 years, Rwandan peacekeepers have carried out their missions with integrity and respect for local communities, adhering to the core principles of civilian protection and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P).
The RDF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting peace and stability in the Central African Republic and other regions where its peacekeepers are deployed, pledging to continue upholding high standards of professionalism and responsibility in their missions.
