Security will now be a key element in district leaders’ performance contracts.

This was one of the resolutions agreed upon in a security meeting at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Kigali yesterday.

The meeting was chaired by the Minister for Local government, James Musoni, and attended by ministers of internal security, defence, governors, and district leaders.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Brig. Gen. Joseph Nzabamwita, the military and defence spokesperson, said  local leaders were urged to ensure participation of residents in maintaining security since security personnel cannot be everywhere.

"It is important for everyone to understand that security is essential in development. The security situation is now okay but further measures must be undertaken so that it is consolidated further,” Nzabamwita said.

Nzabamwita said it is necessary to put more effort in coordination such that mayors and other local leaders understand the importance of liasing with the police or the army to address all matters that would compromise national security.

Collaboration with the population to enhance all aspects of security must be improved, he added.

FDLR

Commenting on the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a genocidal militia operating in eastern DR Congo, Nzabamwita said they "are required to disarm and return home through Nkamira and Mutobo camps where they must go through the normal demobilisation programme.”

The FDLR comprises elements blamed for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. 

"These are people who left Rwanda after shedding blood,” he said.

He appealed to the UN force in DR Congo (Monusco) to use its mandate to flush out the militia out of Congo.