Rwandan peacekeepers serving in the Central African Republic (CAR), including members of RWABG VIII, the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Level Two Hospital, and RWANBATT-1, have donated school supplies to children and provided free medical services to local residents.
The activities took place on Monday, September 21, 2026, as part of efforts to help children begin the 2026–2027 school year with essential learning materials and to commemorate the International Day of Peace.
RDF troops and their counterparts serving under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) in the northeastern region distributed school supplies to pupils at Lydjama Primary School in Bria.
Before the distribution, a team of Rwandan military medical personnel provided free medical services to 70 residents in the Bria area.
Speaking at the event, Brahim Abdoulaye, the Sous-Préfet of Haute-Kotto, who represented the Governor of the Fertit Prefecture, commended MINUSCA peacekeepers for their contribution to the International Day of Peace celebrations and their support for children and parents at the beginning of the school year.
He said the donated school supplies would help pupils begin the academic year under better conditions, while thanking MINUSCA for its role in promoting peace, security and community support.
Brig Gen Joseph Mokwema, the MINUSCA Force Commander for the northeastern region, said supporting primary education was a meaningful way to commemorate the International Day of Peace, as education plays a vital role in building lasting peace.
“You cannot expect peace without education,” he said, adding that the initiative demonstrated MINUSCA’s commitment to promoting education and peacebuilding.
He also emphasized the importance of cooperation between peacekeepers and communities in the areas where they operate, noting that education helps young people develop their knowledge and abilities while contributing to community development.
Mokwema urged residents to support initiatives aimed at promoting peace, stressing that peace and security enable people to carry out their daily activities and allow children to study in a safe environment.
Meanwhile, Rwandan peacekeepers serving under MINUSCA through RWANBATT-1 distributed school supplies to pupils at Ben-Zvi Primary School in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic.
The event was attended by local authorities, including Yemo Alain, head of Bangui’s 5th Arrondissement, and Madam Kabounga Noélla, the school’s senior education adviser. Rwandan peacekeepers from RWANBATT-1 also attended the event under the leadership of Major James Munyaneza, the Deputy Commander of Rwandan forces serving in the peacekeeping mission.
