The Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra. Photo Ludovic MARIN via CFP

Central African Republic (C.A.R) President Faustin-Archange Touadéra arrived in Kigali on Thursday to begin a four-day visit of Rwanda.

Touadéra's visit comes at the invitation of Rwanda President Paul Kagame, and is his first visit to the East African nation since he was sworn in for his second term in March.

The two leaders are expected to hold talks on various issues culminating in the signing of several bilateral agreements.

An itinerary shared by the Rwandan presidential office showed that the C.A.R. President will visit the Campaign Against Genocide Museum, Gasabo district, before being hosted at a state banquet.

During Touadéra's stay, he will also visit the Kinigi Integrated Development Program Model Village in Musanze District.

Rwanda and the C.A.R have enjoyed strong relations for years.

Rwanda is among a number of nations that have contributed peacekeeping troops to the C.A.R. to tackle armed militias. - CGTN

Photo UNITED NATIONS

The UN peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) welcomed 300 Rwandan peacekeepers on 3 August 2021. Deployment of the additional boots on the ground is aimed at strengthening the Mission’s capacity.

The reinforcements were authorized by UN Security Council Resolution 2566 on increasing the size of the Mission, adopted on 12 March 2021, with the aim of “enhancing MINUSCA’s ability to perform its priority mandated tasks in the current evolving context”, especially the protection of civilians and easing humanitarian access.

Determining that the situation in the Central African Republic continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region, the Security Council voted to increase the size of the Mission’s military component by 2,750 and its police component by 940 peacekeepers.

On hand to welcome the new blue helmets at Bangui M’Poko Airport were the MINUSCA Force Commander Lieutenant General Daniel Sidiki Traoré and the Director of Mission Support Emmanuel Agawu as well as the Chief of Defence Staff of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA), Major General Mamadou Zéphirin.

General Traoré noted that the Mission’s success required “determined, motivated troops” while evoking the unrest that gripped the country late last year when a coalition of armed groups attempted to destabilize the Central African Republic. Their blockade of the country's main economic line – the Bangui-Garoua-Boulai corridor – had serious consequences for the country’s economy. The additional troops will be tasked with securing this main supply route, among others. 

“The securing of this axis is essential for the economy of this country, and subsequently for peace and stability. By securing it, you will contribute to the well-being of the Central African people,” said General Traore.

The FACA Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Zéphirin, emphasized the importance of cooperation between the national forces and MINUSCA peacekeepers, describing the Central African and Rwandan forces as “brothers in arms”.

For his part, Rwanda Contingent Commander Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Gasana Rugomba cited his troops’ previous UN peacekeeping experience from Juba and Darfur in his introductory speech: “This contingent is battle tested. We are ready to give our all for this country’s security under the Mission’s leadership.”

Force Commander Sidiki Traoré urged the new arrivals to march in the footsteps of their counterparts who have distinguished themselves by their commitment and remarkable professionalism. He further called on the peacekeepers to “defend the principles and ideals of the United Nations so that peace and stability may return to this country”. 

It is hoped that the additional troops will boost MINUSCA’s capacity to prevent the deterioration of the security situation in the Central African Republic and create space for the political process to move forward. - MARIA KABATANYA, UNITED NATIONS

South Sudan's Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla of Juba Archdiocese. Photo via Vatican News

The three prelates who represented the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SCBC) at the talks with the President include Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla of Juba Archdiocese, Bishop Stephen Nyodho Ador Majwok of Malakal Diocese, as well as the Bishop Emeritus of Torit Diocese, Paride Taban.

Bishops pledge support for the peace agreement

The Bishops pledged their support for the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) upon which the Soputh Sudanese unity government is anchored.

“Since the signing of revitalised peace agreement, we as Bishops of South Sudan had not paid a visit to the President, and we thought it better to do so now and assure him of our support towards the process of peace implementation,” Archbishop Ameyu told AMECEA Online in an interview, Thursday, 29 July.

Religious leaders have a stake in the peace process

Archbishop Ameyu said that religious leaders should also be involved in the national reconciliation, justice and peace process currently being implemented in South Sudan.

“We asked the President to include some religious leaders in the peace process since none of us is involved and it is necessary that we too take part.”

“Nothing is as good as having peace and guns silenced. When there is peace, people have the opportunity to live normal lives and stay happily,” Archbishop Ameyu said.

Church appreciates warm relations with the government

The South Sudanese Bishops also expressed the need of striving to have peace in the country regardless of the challenges and no matter how long it takes.

“It will be good for the government to continue implementing peace. Even if it is at the slow tortoise pace, it will have some positive impact,” said Archbishop Ameyu.

Appreciating Catholic Church-state relations, Archbishop Ameyu said, “The government has been helpful to us, we are able to travel securely wherever we are to go, and any time when we have a new Bishop in the country they (government) have been very supportive,” he said. - Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA – Nairobi, Kenya / Vatican News