652 new police officers – among them 183 women – were welcomed into the ranks of the Internal Security Forces of the Central African Republic (CAR) during a ceremony held at the National Police Academy in Bangui on 25 August 2021.
The event was presided over by Head of State Faustin-Archange Touadera, in the presence of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MINUSCA, Mankeur Ndiaye, members of the diplomatic corps and CAR government officials.
Besides MINUSCA support, the new police officers were trained with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the EU Advisory Mission (EUAM) as well as the EU Training Mission (EUTM) in the CAR, and several other partners.
While speaking at the ceremony, the MINUSCA Chief Mankeur Ndiaye noted that UN Security Council Resolution 2552, of 12 November 2020, mandated MINUSCA to promote and support the rapid extension of State authority all across the Central African Republic, through the deployment of trained national police and gendarmerie officers in priority areas, among others.
“My joy is heightened by the fact that the class we are honoring today includes 28 percent women. It is no secret that the United Nations champions the involvement of women in all aspects of public life, peace, security and development,” he said.
The newly certified recruits represent the 20th cohort of graduates to come out of CAR’s national police training school since the establishment of the institution in January 1962. Donning elegant dark blue uniforms and caps, the officers were cheered on by a capacity crowd of family and well-wishers who were on hand to jointly celebrate their big day.
In his congratulatory message, President Faustin-Archange Touadera urged the officers to do the country proud through seeking justice and promoting the respect of the rule of law and human rights as they go about new profession: “Today marks a new phase in your lives. From this day on, you will be called upon to respect the flag and to secure and defend this country with commitment. You represent the republic, and you will defend it against wrongdoers daily.”
The new police officers will help strengthen the capacity of the CAR security forces in the country’s capital Bangui and in the interior of the country.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General pledged MINUSCA’s continued support to the government’s efforts in security sector reform, through the sustained provision of expertise through the United Nations Police (UNPol) and the implementation of projects and training programs through colocation with the national police.