In a resolute declaration, Rwanda reiterated its dedication to deploying troops in conflict-ridden regions across Africa and beyond, in collaboration with UN Peacekeeping missions and other global initiatives.
The reaffirmation of this commitment came from Defense Minister Gen. Juvénal Marizamunda during the opening of a Preparatory Conference on Protection of Civilians and Strategic Communication held at the Serena Hotel in Kigali.
Gen. Marizamunda emphasized Rwanda’s pledge to deploy highly trained, skilled, and well-equipped personnel, commanders, and staff members.
He underscored the importance of cultivating the right mindset among these individuals to effectively safeguard civilians in their designated areas of responsibility.
Rwanda currently stands as the fourth-largest global contributor to UN Peacekeeping missions, with approximately 6000 troops deployed worldwide. Gen. Marizamunda highlighted Rwanda’s continuous efforts in combating misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech, collaborating closely with host nations and other stakeholders.
He said that “Rwanda will continue to deploy properly trained, skilled and well equipped personnel, commanders and staff armed with right mindset to effectively protect civilians in their areas of responsibility.”
Rwanda is now the fourth global contributor to UN Peacekeeping missions with roughly 6000 boots around the world.
Gen. Marizamunda said that Rwanda will also continue playing a role in confronting misinformation, disinformation and hate speech in close collaboration with the host nation and other stake holders.
He noted that disinformation, and hate speech exploit the advancement of technology to spread, using social media which is as useful to criminals as it is for peacekeepers.
He emphasized that in this context, managing the legitimate expectations of local populations is a challenge that affects all peacekeeping missions, adding that it is therefore up to the International Community to use technology more effectively as an enabler for mandate delivery, in countering false messages and deconstructing false narratives to shape domestic and international perception about UN Missions.
The Conference is organized by Rwanda, Indonesia, the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Minister Marizamunda said that the meeting comes at a time when peacekeeping missions across the world are facing serious challenges in their deployment.
Defence and Military Advisor to the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the UN, Lt Col Deo Mutabazi.
He said that the peacekeeping context is evolving.
“Multilateral environment is fractured. Major powers are in constant competition for their national interests. These factors militate against peacekeeping operations efforts. The challenges brought by the increasing disinformation,misinformation and hate speech add another layer to this problem. That’s why we don’t achieve that much,” he said.
Lt Col Mutabazi added that citizens sometimes have false expectations from the UN missions, reason why the UN missions have to intensify strategic communications in order to fight against hate speech, and misinformation, deconstruct false narratives while building the right narrative.
Rwanda achieves it through various ways, including using technology and community engagement.
“Rwanda’s peacekeeping approach to community engagement is in the perspective of human security, where by peacekeepers conduct outreach programs to solves environmental, health, hygiene issues, hence building good rapport, and trust within the community,” he dded. “This also helps peacekeepers win hearts and minds of the local leaders and the community which allows a friendly working environment to peacekeepers.”
Meanwhile, the conversations in the conference attracted many high ranking military officers and police in the security domain and political representatives such Martha Pobee, ASG for Africa, DPPA/DPO, Dr. Fonteh Akum, Executive Director of the Institute for Security Studies, Colonel Mohammed Tariq Hossain, and Colonel Staff, Oversees Operations Directorate of Army Headquarters of Bangladesh Army, Police Inspector General Krishna Murti, Head of National Police International Relations Division, Indonesia, Madeline Garlick, UK Ambassador to the AU, Ambassador Harold Agyeman, Permanent Representative of Ghana to the, among others.
Rwanda’s steadfast commitment to UN Peacekeeping missions and its proactive stance against misinformation sets a commendable example in the global pursuit of peace and stability.
Through collaborative efforts, Rwanda envisions a world where strategic communication and community engagement serve as powerful instruments in shaping a more peaceful future.
