While the Rwandan-backed rebel military group M23 continued its deadly advance into eastern DRC, Rwandan Swat teams this week left the competition in the dust during a multinational competition testing physical endurance and mental sharpness.
Ten elite police teams from eight countries participated in the event. Rwanda's men's team came first and its women's team came second.
Other countries that took part included Djibouti, Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The Institute for Security Studies’ Willem Els attended the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation’s special weapons and tactics (Swat) challenge at the Counter Terrorism Training Centre in Mayange, Rwanda. The two-day competition ended on Thursday.
“The Rwandans are impressive, very impressive. The obstacle course that was used is not for any person to try,” Els said.
“Rwanda’s men took first place and their women took second place, competing against the men from nine other countries.
“To put things in perspective, the Tanzanian men’s team completed the course in 18 minutes. The Rwandan women’s team did it in six minutes, 54 seconds,” Els said.
“Some of these events were incredibly tough. Endurance, fitness and weapons mastery are all tested.
“For example, in one event, a sniper has to carry his or her rifle and run up three flights of stairs. At the top, the sniper sets up the rifle and has to hit a target of about 10cm in diameter from a distance of 60m. When the target is hit it is the signal for the rest of the Swat team to go. They have to run to a house, breach the door and each member has to enter a room, take out a hostage-taker, rescue a hostage dummy and sprint to the finish. Imagine having to hit a 10cm target from 60m away after running up three flights of stairs.”
Rwanda's inspector-general of police, CG Felix Namuhoranye, said at the event: “The participation of women serves as a powerful message to the growing inclusivity and parity within our forces.”
He said the event had been a joint training exercise which had “forged relationships to enhance the security and law enforcement co-operation as a cornerstone for the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation mission”.
Els said he had enjoyed his stay in Rwanda.
“This country has done incredible things to recover from the genocide. When we visited their cyber crime centre I was blown away by the tech I saw there. It was the first time I encountered a lot of the tech I saw there.”
He said President Paul Kagame appeared to be much loved by the population.
“From shopkeepers to people on the streets, they all have a story to tell about how Kagame’s government changed their lives,” Els said.
While Rwanda has been criticised for a lack of individual human rights in the country, Els said local law enforcement explained the Rwandan method to him.
“One of the senior police members in Rwanda told me they don’t need human rights doctrine - because of where they come from human rights is part of their fibre.”
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