The Central African Republic Armed Forces (FACA), on Saturday, November 20, enrolled 545 new soldiers who completed their basic training under the instruction of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF). The ceremony also marked the graduation of 121 platoon sergeants who successfully completed a six-month leadership course delivered by RDF instructors. The pass-out ceremony, held at Camp Kassai Military Barracks in Bangui, was presided over by Prof. Faustin Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic. Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi, the Army Chief of Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force, wa

The Central African Republic Armed Forces (FACA), on Saturday, November 20, enrolled 545 new soldiers who completed their basic training under the instruction of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF). The ceremony also marked the graduation of 121 platoon sergeants who successfully completed a six-month leadership course delivered by RDF instructors.

The pass-out ceremony, held at Camp Kassai Military Barracks in Bangui, was presided over by Prof. Faustin Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic. Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi, the Army Chief of Staff of the Rwanda Defence Force, was among the distinguished guests in attendance. Gen Victor Yacoub, Deputy Chief of Staff of the FACA, expressed appreciation for the strong cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the field of military training. He noted that the RDF has now trained 2,409 soldiers in basic military training and 300 non-commissioned officers. He also praised the trainees for the dedication and discipline demonstrated throughout the six-month programme. During his remarks, Maj Gen Nyakarundi congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to uphold the highest standards of competence and discipline as they serve their nation. He urged the newly graduated platoon sergeants to lead by example, ensure the smooth execution of operations, and continue advising their commanders effectively. He further expressed gratitude to the two Heads of States for their support throughout the training mission. The ceremony featured demonstrations of key skills acquired during the training, including marksmanship, map-reading, and martial arts. Rwanda is regarded as a key partner of the Central African Republic across various sectors, particularly in security cooperation. Rwandan troops were first deployed to the Central African Republic in January 2014. Today, Rwanda has more than 2,000 soldiers serving in the country under the UN peacekeeping mission. These forces protect civilians, senior government officials including President Touadéra, UN personnel and equipment, as well as key national installations such as M’Poko International Airport. In addition to the UN mission, Rwanda maintains more than 1,000 soldiers in the Central African Republic under a bilateral agreement.

A little more informed. A little more connected.