Rwanda is often described accurately as “the small East African nation.” Yet, due to its recent history, its footprint in global peacekeeping is larger than that of nations many times its size.
Without Rwanda’s peacekeeping missions, there would be a void in the world’s security architecture several times the size of this small country. It is a global leadership role that deserves wider recognition.
For Rwanda, the Central African Republic (CAR) would garner more negative attention, thousands in South Sudan would lack the safety they now take for granted, and Cabo Delgado in northern Mozambique, an area three times the size of Rwanda, would likely be under the control of extremist terrorists, potentially spreading farther into southern Africa.
Whether through the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) or the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in CAR (MINUSCA), Rwanda ranks today as the third-largest contributor of police and troops to UN peacekeeping operations.
Rwandan peacekeepers have introduced a new approach to peacekeeping, emphasizing holistic support for the often vulnerable communities they protect. Instead of remaining aloof as armed uniformed personnel, Rwandan peacekeepers integrate closely with communities, assisting in development projects such as school construction, agriculture, and other essential services.
This evolution in peacekeeping draws from practices within Rwanda, where community policing and civilian development projects involving the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) are common. One notable practice is Umuganda, a monthly community exercise for repairing physical infrastructure and discussing local concerns. The concept of “Global Umuganda” is gaining traction, particularly across Africa.
Rwanda’s dedication to global peacekeeping stems from its recent history, notably the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, during which the world largely stood by as over a million men, women, and children were massacred. Protecting civilians and upholding human dignity, not only within Rwanda but worldwide, is now enshrined in the country’s constitution.
For Rwanda, commitment to the UN-backed Responsibility to Protect (R2P) means ensuring that no one is denied protection or refuge when their lives are at risk. The country currently deploys over four thousand troops and more than a thousand police officers on peacekeeping missions, primarily in CAR, South Sudan, and Mozambique—a significant commitment for a country of Rwanda’s size, with profound impacts on countless lives globally.
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