Nyakinama, 10 June 2013

H.E President Paul Kagame and Commander-in-Chief of Rwanda Defence Force awarded "Passed Staff College" Title to 45 Pioneer RDF Command and Staff College Officers on 10 June 2013 in Musanze District.

In his keynote address, the Head of State urged the Graduands to use the skills acquired to defend Rwandans and national sovereignty. “The People of Rwanda are proud of you, but they also inevitably expect more from you. It is up to you to make sure that you live up to the expectations that Rwandans have come to take for granted from you.”

He reminded the pioneer class of RDF Senior Command and Staff Course to maintain the core values of the Rwanda Defence Force: Patriotism, Loyalty, Commitment, Competence, Integrity, and a Sense of Service to the Nation. “With these values, you will lead by example, be a source of inspiration to fellow officers and those under your command”, President Kagame said.

The President of Rwanda who inaugurated the RDF Command and Staff College on 23 July 2012 also emphasized Rwanda’s continuation on its journey of defining itself. “Rwandans and Rwanda Defence Force should be people who decide for themselves. We must be left to live our lives the way Rwandans want to live them. This Course and those who attended it before should enable this nation to continue on the journey of defining itself. The successes of the past and where we have taken our country are real and should not be mistaken by anyone as a myth”, reiterated H.E Paul Kagame.

The Minister of Defence, Gen James Kabarebe while presenting the Graduands noted that the Officers awarded “Passed Staff College” are ready to fulfill their Constitutional responsibilities “We are happy to present you the officers that are prepared and ready to carry on their Constitutional responsibilities”.

He conveyed gratitude to all Partners who made the RDF pioneer Senior Command and Staff Course a success. Hon Gen Kabarebe revealed that the RDF Command and Staff College would offer a Master’s Degree in Security Studies to competent officers attending the Senior Command and Staff Course next intake this year.

The Commandant of RDF Command and Staff College, Brig Gen Jean Jacques Mupenzi recalled that the College’s curriculum focused on the guidance delivered by HE Paul Kagame while inaugurating the College on 23 July 2012. The President then said, “We believe that training should equip our officers and the RDF in general with the tools to respond appropriately to security challenges of our time and even to anticipate problems of the future”.