Rwanda sends 240 police peacekeepers to South Sudan

KIGALI, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda on Wednesday deployed a new contingent of 240 police officers to the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan to help keep law and order in the war-torn east African nation.

The new contingent, which departed for South Sudan on Wednesday, will replace the first contingent of 240 police officers who have spent year-long in peacekeeping operations in Malakal, South Sudan.

The force specializes in public order management like crowd control, facilitating delivery of humanitarian assistance, escort duties and protection of UN facilities and so on, according to the police.

Speaking at a pre-deployment briefing in the Rwandan capital Kigali, Inspector General of Police Emmanuel K. Gasana urged the police officers to strive to protect and promote Rwanda's image abroad.

"Alertness, effective communication, professional conduct and mandate execution, force discipline, respect and teamwork are indispensable to protecting the image of Rwanda National Police and our country," he told the peacekeeping force.

In August, Rwandan minister of defence James Kabarebe pledged continued support, including troops, police and equipment to the UN peacekeeping operation around the world.

Rwanda is one of the top five troop and police contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions, according to the UN.

Rwanda is set to deploy a contingent of female police officers to South Sudan in next January, according to the Rwandan police. Enditem