46 Senior Officers from Rwanda Defence Force and Allied Defence Forces graduated from the one year long Senior Command and Staff Course Intake Five (SCSC 05), at Rwanda Defence Force Command and Staff College ( RDFCSC) in Musanze District, Northern Rwanda. Among the 46 SCSC Passed Staff Course ‘psc’ graduates, 40 were in addition conferred academic qualifications by the University of Rwanda; 27 with Masters of Arts in Security Studies and 13 with Post Graduate Diplomas in Security Studies.

The graduation ceremony held on 9 June 2017 was presided over by Honourable Minister of Defence, Gen James Kabarebe, on behalf of H.E Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda and Commander-in-Chief of Rwanda Defence Force.

Other dignitaries present included Hon Minister of Education, Dr Musafiri Papias Malimba; Hon Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Geraldine Mukeshimana; the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Patrick Nyamvumba; the Governor of Northern Province; Ambassadors of foreign missions in Rwanda; Inspector General of Police, Rwanda National Police; Commissioner General, Rwanda Correctional Service; RDF Service Chiefs; the Vice Chancellor of the University of Rwanda; Commandants and Representatives of sister Staff Colleges; Generals; Senior Officers and Spouses of graduating officers.

In his key note address, the Guest of Honor pointed out that the knowledge acquired by the Senior Officers from the College will contribute to national and regional security. “The course you have just concluded has equipped you with the necessary analytical, planning and communication skills to enable you make the transition from tactical to operational and strategic focus, to deal with the contemporary complex security environment”, Gen Kabarebe noted.

Hon Minister of Defence, Gen James Kabarebe, further revealed to the graduates what they should expect in terms of new responsibilities in their military career. “In the years ahead, most of you will be promoted to positions of higher responsibility where you will be required to uphold high standards of professional integrity and discipline as you discharge your duties. You will be required as commanders, to be bold and accountable in order to be able to make difficult choices in a changing environment. I therefore urge you to go beyond the ordinary way of doing things and have the necessary drive required to take Africa to the next level”, Gen Kabarebe said.

As this year’s graduation coincided with the RDFCSC 5th anniversary, Gen Kabarebe took the opportunity to commend the College’s achievements. “The RDFCSC has demonstrated its capacity, readiness and willingness to be part of national solutions and to contribute to our common development and destiny, and to defend our freedom and dignity. I have no doubt that the College will continue to deliver the desired results in line with the strategic guidance of our Commander-in- Chief, HE Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, which seeks to create a better Rwanda for our people and Africa”, he underlined.

The UR Vice Chancellor, Professor Phillip Cotton, congratulated those who had met the University requirements for the awarded degrees, noting that they were most welcome among the big UR Alumni family.

The RDFCSC Commandant, Maj Gen JB Kazura, underlined the College’s significant achievements in its five years of existence. These include the graduation of 228 officers from Senior Command and Staff Courses including 47 allied students, as well as 323 officers that graduated from 9 intakes of Junior Command and Staff Course.

The 46 SCSC 05 graduates who were awarded the ‘psc’ certificate include 11 nationalities as follows: 29 from Rwanda, 27 from RDF and 2 from RNP; and 17 from Allied Countries namely 2 from Ethiopia, 2 from Kenya, 2 from Malawi, 2 from South Sudan, 2 from Tanzania, 2 from Uganda, 2 from Zambia, 1 from Ghana, 1 from Nigeria, and 1 from Senegal.

Maj Emmanuel Rutaremara (above) and Maj Prince Tandoh (below) receiving their awards

Maj Emmanuel Rutaremara from RDF placed first in the order of merit on the course and was awarded the best overall student prize. The second best overall and best allied student was Maj Prince Tandoh from Ghana.

ACP Jean Marie Twagirayezu from RNP received the best College Research Paper award.