On 12 Jun 26, His Excellency President of the Republic of Rwanda Paul Kagame and Commander-in-Chief of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), officiated the graduation ceremony of senior officers who successfully completed Intake 14 of the Senior Command and Staff Course at the RDF Command and Staff College Nyakinama in Musanze District.

This year’s course brought together 108 senior officers, including 27 officers from 19 friendly countries across Africa and Asia, reflecting the growing importance of regional and international military cooperation.

The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, military leaders, diplomats, family members, and other distinguished guests who gathered to celebrate the achievements of the graduating officers.

In his address, President Kagame congratulated the graduates on their dedication, discipline, and commitment to professional military education. “You arrived here as experienced professionals and are now leaving with broader knowledge, sharper strategic awareness, and greater responsibility,” he told the graduates.

The President further urged the officers to cultivate courage, sound judgement, and a strong sense of purpose, emphasizing that these qualities are essential for effective leadership in complex and demanding environments. He encouraged them to lead with integrity and remain committed to continuous learning and self-improvement.

H.E. the President Paul Kagame noted that the training brought together officers from Rwanda and partner countries across Africa and beyond, highlighting that the relationships forged during the course should strengthen cooperation in military operations, regional engagements, and times of crisis.

He also highlighted that the Rwanda Defence Force’s reputation and standing have not been achieved by default, but have been built over many years through dedicated service, discipline, and professionalism. The graduation marks another milestone in Rwanda’s efforts to build a professional and capable defence force while strengthening regional military cooperation through advanced professional military education.

The graduates were drawn from Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Jordan, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.