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