President Paul Kagame has informed Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) soldiers that the army’s mission is to safeguard peace and avoid wars rather than to fight them.
On Thursday, August 17, he was addressing at the RDF Combat Training Centre in Gabiro during the last field exercise of the RDF’s Combined Arms Field Training Exercise codenamed Exercise Hard Punch 04/2023.
“The RDF exists to prevent wars and protect peace, not to wage them.” “You have demonstrated this at home and abroad, in the many places where you have gone to lend a helping hand to those with whom we share much as Africans, as well as to other friends who are in need of our assistance,” he told the soldiers.
The RDF’s 1st and 3rd divisions generally execute the Hard Punch exercise, which is distinguished by a final operational display of how multiple military capabilities are integrated and synchronized in a military action at the Infantry Division level.
“We are not an army that only protects the country; we helped build it, we are still helping to build it, and we will continue to play our part,” he added, urging the troops to stay disciplined in their work.
“The key to success in our job is discipline.” “Discipline allows us to use our limited resources wisely, allocating what little we have to where it is most needed,” he explained.
However, he added that discipline alone is insufficient, “but it is what we build on.”
“There is knowledge and understanding that contributes to the development of our capabilities.” “You can have discipline, but if you don’t have knowledge, education, and training, that discipline will not get you anywhere,” he explained.
Hard Punch drills were previously held in December 2018 and November 2016.