This archive report was first published on 13 June 2020.
June 13, 2020 - The United Nations peacekeeping missions have had to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic by including mitigation measures against the spread of the virus where they serve.
However, this has exposed the officers to the virus as they help people in conflict communities.
One of the victims is Enid Mbabazi, a Rwandan peacekeeper with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), who succumbed to the virus at King Faisal Hospital in Kigali.
As a precautionary measure, Rwanda began mass testing of its peacekeepers serving in South Sudan, spearheaded by the Ministry of Health.
The testing began on Tuesday in Malakal, where 239 Rwandan officers are deployed, and the team will continue to other units deployed in Juba.
According to police spokesperson John Bosco Kabera, the testing of all officers under FPU-1 and individual police officers in Malakal ended mid-morning on Wednesday.
Rwanda is currently the second-largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping missions, with over 1,000 police officers and more than 5,000 soldiers serving overseas.
UNMISS paid tribute to Ms Mbabazi on its Radio Miraya, acknowledging her dedicated work.
Police Commissioner for UNMISS Unaisi Bolatolu-Vuniwaqa said Ms Mbabazi became ill on May 19 and initially received treatment at the UNMISS base before being evacuated back home.
Ms Bolatolu-Vuniwaqa acknowledged Ms Mbabazi's contribution to the protection of civilians and building durable peace in South Sudan since her arrival in December 2019.
Other EAC member states have also experienced scares of the virus spreading within their peacekeeping missions serving abroad.
As of Thursday, South Sudan had reported 1,606 coronavirus infections, and up to 22 deaths.
Rwanda confirmed 494 total infections by Thursday, 313 recoveries, and two deaths.
To mitigate the risks and protect peacekeeping personnel against contracting the virus, the UN revised its peacekeeping rotation, including the suspension of rotations until June 30.
The UN has implemented strict hand washing protocols, set up water and soap stations at the entrance to mission bases, and conducted systematic temperature checks at the entrance of mission bases.
