Newly-discharged ex-combatants have resolved to work toward attaining self-reliance and national development. 

Speaking at the discharge ceremony of 52 ex-combatants at Mutobo Demobilisation and Reintegration Centre in Musanze District, yesterday, the former militants regretted wasting more than 20 years in DR Congo jungles.

The group, which belonged to FDLR militia, received reintegration and entrepreneurship skills training for three months.

They said they were well received in the country after defecting from FDLR, noting that the skills and reintegration support received would help them fit in the community.

Emmanuel Sibomana said he served for some years in the DR Congo army before joining FDLR.

He said their commanders always warned them against repatriating until he decided to escape and then handed himself in to Monusco, the UN Mission in Congo.

"I lived a miserable life in DR Congo jungles. Life was not easy and it was always hard to repatriate as our superiors prevented us from voluntary repatriation,” said Sibomana.

"I am happy that I managed to repatriate. With these life skills, I will manage to settle in society. I have a plot of land on which I will practice modern farming. I am still strong and optimistic that my life will change,” Sibomana added.

The 49-year-old, from Nyamagabe District, repatriated with his family of seven.

"We will ensure that we put more efforts in developing ourselves and compensate for the lost time. I appeal to Monusco, DR Congo officials and other concerned stakeholders to ensure that they facilitate the repatriation process, most of FDLR militia are willing to do so but they are held captive,” he added.

The wives of the ex-combatants were taken through a two-week training on women rights and the benefits of working under cooperatives. They were also briefed on development projects tailored for women.

Beatrice Furaha, 23, a wife of one of the repatriated ex-combatants, said she was lucky to make it back home.

"I grew up in DR Congo forests and lost contact with my relatives during fighting in DR Congo. I lived a lonely life until I got married to an FDLR rebel years ago, we lived a life of suffering characterised by hunger and disease for many years,” said Furaha.

"I am lucky that I managed to repatriate with my husband and our two children. I have been enlightened on my rights and I know the government values us. I will work with a women’s cooperative to ensure that I benefit from various programmes and use my energy to achieve a lot,” she added.

Fred Nyamurangwa, a commissioner at the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), urged the former fighters to ensure the acquired skills are put to good use.

He also urged the group to use all possible channels to ensure their colleagues still wandering in DR Congo repatriate so they are also helped to reintegrate.

More than 10,000 ex-combatants have repatriated and have been supported to reintegrate over the last decade, according to the officials.

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