The UN technical team on July 15, 2013 visited the Rwanda National Police (RNP) to inspect its Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) ahead of the Mali deployment.
The equipment, which include a fleet of 30 vehicles comprised of trucks, breakdown, ambulances, coaster buses, buffalo SUVs and a folk lifter, is part of the facilities needed for the troops’ mission in Mali.
A water plant and electric generators were also inspected.
Invited by the RNP, the inspection team will later visit Gishari Polytechnique Police training school to witness drills offered to the 140 Rwandan Police officers expected to be deployed in war torn Mali.
Rwanda National Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Theos Badege said the equipment is needed because this is the first mission deployment of Rwandan troops in Mali.
Meanwhile, a special team of officers have been sent to Mali to inspect the terrain before the troops are deployed.
After, Haiti, Mali is the second country where Rwanda National Police will be deploying Formed Police Unit (FPU) Peacekeepers.
Rwanda has the highest number of women peacekeepers worldwide.
Rwanda National Police has more than 450 peacekeepers in eight countries, including Haiti, Sudan, Liberia, among others.