WESTERN PROVINCE

RUBAVU — The Mayor of Rubavu district, Celestin Twagirayezu, has urged area residents to remain calm in the wake of growing insecurity in DR Congo.

Rubavu district borders DR Congo’s town of Goma, where fighting erupted last week-leading many people to flee to Rwanda.

The Mayor was reacting to fears among residents, following the recent bombing of part of Rubavu by people suspected to be FDLR rebels.

He called upon residents to continue with their daily activities, saying the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) are ready to handle the security situation in the country.

Recently suspected FDLR rebels holed up in DR Congo are said to have crossed the border to Bugeshi Sector, Rubavu district- killed one man and injured another.

The residents have been claiming to have received information that FDLR rebels were planning to attack Gisenyi.

"Gisenyi is very near the border. The FDRL soldiers can do anything especially now that they are being defeated by Gen Laurent Nkunda,” said Hamdun Hategekimana one of the residents. 

"It’s not the first time the FDLR rebels are crossing from DR Congo to the sectors along the borders. On September 28 2008, armed people crossed and killed a man called Bizimana and injured another who is currently admitted at Gisenyi Hospital. They just sneak in to steal food and people’s property such as cows and goats but have no capacity to fight us,” the Mayor said.

 He called upon residents to participate in the maintaining the district’s security by carrying out night patrols and reporting suspicious people to authorities.

"We should work hand in hand with the police, military and local defence forces to maintain the security of our district,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North Kivu governor Julien Paluku has called upon Congolese residents who had fled to Rwanda to return to their respective homes.

He said calm has returned to DR Congo and there were no more violence.

DR congo soldiers were reported last week to have committed crimes including looting, beating and raping women.

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