Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Spokesperson Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga held an in-depth discussion with a delegation of students and lecturers from the University of Zambia, offering insights into how Rwanda works with partner nations to restore security and stability across the continent.
The lecture took place on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the University of Rwanda’s main campus, where the 20-member Zambian delegation has been conducting an academic tour from November 16 to 23, 2025.
According to Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence, the visiting team was led by Prof. Boniface Namangala, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Zambia. From the Rwandan side, participants included Dr. Ndikumana Raymond, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Planning and Institutional Advancement at the University of Rwanda, and Sengiyumva Vincent, First Secretary at the Embassy of Rwanda in Lusaka.
African Solutions to African Problems
Brig Gen Rwivanga delivered a lecture titled: “African Solutions to African Problems: Rwanda’s Peacekeeping Partnerships in the Central African Republic and Mozambique.”
In his presentation, he elaborated on Rwanda’s security engagements and the collaborative frameworks that have made its interventions effective. He emphasized that Rwanda’s approach anchored in African leadership, strong bilateral cooperation, rapid response capability, and professional military conduct has produced tangible, long-lasting results in conflict-affected countries.
Restoring Security Through Collaboration
The RDF Spokesperson explained how Rwandan troops deployed under bilateral agreements have helped stabilize both the Central African Republic (CAR) and Mozambique, specifically the Cabo Delgado region. He highlighted key aspects of Rwanda’s contribution:
Restoring security and territorial control in areas threatened by armed groups
Protecting civilians and supporting local governance structures
Creating conditions for social and economic recovery through secure environments
Demonstrating that African nations are capable of leading their own peace and security efforts
Brig Gen Rwivanga noted that Rwanda’s interventions are grounded in trust, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to stability principles that have strengthened partnerships with both CAR and Mozambique.
Upholding Professionalism and Ethical Conduct
A significant part of the lecture focused on the importance of discipline, integrity, and responsible conduct for forces engaged in peacekeeping missions. Brig Gen Rwivanga underscored that peace operations cannot succeed without:
Professional behavior from deployed troops
Respect for local communities
Clear ethical standards
Strong coordination among African governments
He emphasized that these values have earned Rwandan forces international recognition and contributed to Rwanda’s growing role as a reliable peacekeeping partner on the continent.
Strengthening Academic and Defence Cooperation
The interaction marked another step in the deepening cooperation between Rwanda and Zambia, not only in security matters but also in education, research, and institutional exchange. The Zambian students and lecturers expressed interest in understanding how Rwanda’s peace and security model can inform similar efforts in other African countries.
As the academic tour continues, both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to expanding collaboration in areas that strengthen Africa’s capacity to address its own challenges.
