ACOTA PROGRAM MOVES FORWARD IN RWANDA

UNCLAS KIGALI 000607 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR DAS YAMAMOTO, AF/C AND AF/RSA EUCOM FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPKO MARR MASS PGOV PREL RW SU ACOTA ET SUBJECT: ACOTA PROGRAM MOVES FORWARD IN RWANDA ¶1. SUMMARY. During 21-23 July 2006, representatives of the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) Program and the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) collaborated on plans for near-term pre-deployment peace support operations (PSO) training for RDF battalions preparing to deploy to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) as well as plans for long term ACOTA training and equipping activities in Rwanda. The collaborations resulted in a clear plan of action for both near and long term ACOTA training and equipping activities to support RDF units preparing to deploy to AMIS. END SUMMARY ¶2. U.S. Embassy Defense Attach Major Ronald Miller, USA, joined ACOTA Regional Manager Richard Roan in meeting with RDF officials. Key RDF officials participating in the ACOTA planning meetings included General James Kabarebe, Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Charles Kayonga, Army Chief of Staff, Major General Patrick Nyamvumba, Chief of Logistics, and Colonel Michael Nkurunziza, Chief of Training and Doctrine. ¶3. General Kabarebe expressed gratitude for the AMIS pre-deployment training for six RDF battalions provided by the United States during the period of July 2005-February ¶2006. Colonel Nkurunziza noted that the training had decisively improved the RDF's performance in Darfur. General Kabarebe expressed delight with Rwanda's recent recognition as an ACOTA partner and stated that Rwanda would continue to contribute peacekeepers to AMIS. ¶4. Near-term pre-deployment training. During 24 July-25 August 2006, ACOTA will provide PSO command and staff and soldier skills training for an RDF battalion preparing to deploy to AMIS. This will be followed during 28 August-29 September 2006 with training for a second battalion preparing for deployment to AMIS. Both increments of pre-deployment training will be conducted at the RDF's Gako military training base. ¶5. AMIS Enhancement. General Kayonga requested that all ACOTA training be enhanced to focus on particular challenges of peacekeeping in Darfur, to include basic warfighting skills. Additionally, he requested that a week of marksmanship training will be added to each cycle of ACOTA battalion training. General Nyamvumba stated his intention to provide the U.S. with a list of equipment critically needed to enhance the RDF's operational effectiveness in AMIS. ¶6. ACOTA Program in Rwanda. ACOTA and RDF officials will conduct a detailed planning conference regarding the long term ACOTA program in Rwanda during 3-4 August 2006, in Kigali. Colonel Nkurunziza stated that all near and long term ACOTA training and equipping activities will be focused on contingents preparing to deploy to AMIS. Throughout the ACOTA meetings, all RDF officials emphasized their desire to expeditiously commence and sustain ACOTA training and equipping activities. ARIETTI