Yesterday the RDF soldiers from MISCA in Central African Republic brought together Muslims and Christians at the Marché Abateyi to discuss about the re-establishing peace among both religious factions.
RwaMechBatt1 troops on a separate note held meeting with Muslims and Catholics at a locality called Marché Abetayi, 15 kilometres from Bangui.
The meeting was aimed at building confidence and trust between MISCA Forces and Local Community.
“We dispatched a confidence building patrol around Bangui from our Headquarters. We tried to calm the local population and finally after the meeting, the Muslim and Catholic communities situated separately on both sides of the road were convinced to sit together and hold a meeting”, disclosed Lt Col Jean Paul Karangwa, Commanding Officer of RwaMechBatt1.
He continued noting that Muslims and Catholics were located on different sides of the road at the village. It was hard to agree at which site the meeting should take place. There was mistrust between the local communities.
After the “peace message” by the Rwandan Contingent Commander, the local population expressed their hope to re-establish peace and security.
“At least you come and talk to us, this gives a hope that you are coming for peace”, said one of the elder in the community.
Meanwhile the US Air Force C-17 airlifting RDF troops from Kigali to Bangui continue. 705 Officers, Men and Women of the 850 RwaMechBatt1 have been airlifted and deployed to MISCA.
Minadef
UM– USEKE.RW
