The Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) was  established in 1997.

The RDRC’s main goal has been to foster national unity and contribute towards regional peace in the great lakes of Africa through social and economic reintegration of ex-combatants; support  children associated with armed groups, ex-female and physically challenged adult ex-combatants.

According to the RDRC  Commissioner, Fred Nyamurangwa, to a large extent, RDRC has achieved most of its targets in terms of contribution to the reconciliation process,  regional peace, reduction of insecurity in DRC, reduction in GBV  and socio-economic reintegration of ex-combatants. Its major components include demobilisation, reinsertion, reintegration, mainstreaming, and program management.

Nyamurangwa says that for over 22 years in operation, the achievements of the commission are enormous and can be rated at 75% of success.

All ex-combatants are living peacefully and actively in communities together with other members.

The vulnerable groups (women, children, disabled/chronically ill and elderly) are given special care.

Every ex-combatant has free choice of where to settle within Rwanda, as well as freedom to move.

"The approach we used of giving equal treatment to all ex-combatants (Ex-RPA, Ex-RDF, Ex-FAR, FDLR) without any discrimination and transparency through the implementation of our activities still amaze the beneficiaries and the foreign visitors;  it’s that uniqueness that led to sustainable success and still encourage a big number of ex- combatants in foreign countries  to come back in big numbers, "he says.

Key Achievements

Since September 1997 the RDRC/P has achieved demobilization and successful social and economic reintegration of 81,703 beneficiaries of who 45,367 are from RPA/RDF, 12,969 from ex-FAR and 11,002 from members of Armed Groups excluding 11,392 dependents and 973 children formerly associated with armed groups.

RDRC also recorded the pattern of reinsertion of ex-combatants by military origin based on their choice of provinces for resettlement. RDRC data base reveals that Ex-RDF predominates in the City of Kigali with 11, 175, while EX-AGs have  mostly settled 4512 members in the Western Province. This pattern was mainly influenced by pull factors related to existing and potential opportunities for business, availability of land, historical social networks and proximity to cross-border trade.

The RDRC provided training to 226 and rewarded the best 144 performing cooperatives in project competition.

Among other key achievements has been the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Demobilization and Reintegration at Mutobo modern communication equipment, a library and a documentation unit.

The center has attracted national, regional and international actors ranging from diplomats, politicians, media outlets, researchers, to students interested in all matters related to cross-border DDR in the great lakes region of Africa.

Nyamurangwa adds that central to the positive achievements of RDRC to-date, are the Government’s unwavering commitment to regional peace and security initiatives and both national and international development partners who have invested time and resources in the program. These achievements wouldn’t have been possible without the implementation of resolutions on the disarmament of FDLR, albeit some difficulties.

In addition, 7,780 dependants of ex-combatants were repatriated and transported to their community of settlement after completing miniPre-Discharge Orientation Programme  and receiving their reinsertion kits.

A total of 716  houses for severely disabled ex-combatants in category 1 and 2 and most vulnerable ex-combatants including women. Other 90 houses are under construction.

Reintegration Grant (RG)

Economic Reintegration Grants are intended to support ex-combatants to invest in projects that will help support their new livelihoods and reintegration process in their communities. RDRC first gives them training in entrepreneurship skills before paying out the grants. Beneficiaries are also required to fill sub-project forms specified the kind of projects each recipient intended to invest the money in.

To ensure the mainstreaming process takes effect, the forms are endorsed by relevant local authorities in compliance with social and environmental safeguards.  During the 2016 reporting period alone, 160 ex-combatants from different phases 55, 56 and 57 received their reintegration grants.

Job Placement

 The RDRC plays an advocacy role for employment opportunities and job placements in different companies and government agencies to enable a sustainable reintegration process. In 2016  alone, RDRC advocacy and lobby work succeeded in securing employment in sectors such as security services, revenue collection, roads and housing construction, e-learning, tourism, textile industry ,one-stop center at the borders and many others.

Some of the key  sectors where they are employed include fertilizer  distribution employing 646,  fumigation ( 1604), road construction ( 78), building houses( 63),security guarding ( 108),revenue collection( 147), coffee plantations ( 50).

Communication and Sensitization

Communication and sensitization plays a pivotal role in the RDRC reintegration process. Over the past year, it has deployed print, audio, visual and electronic communication tools to enhance public awareness on RDRC program activities of demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants into the Rwandan society.

Social media tools (mostly SKYPE) is highly   used to intensify cross-border sensitization of members of the armed groups. Other channels such as TV (both Private and Government), RDRC monthly magazines and newsletters, updates on the www.demobrwanda.gov.rw  website and radio programs are also constantly used to successfully communicate RDRC messages.

Recent activities

In  2016, Mutobo Demobilization Centre received, identified and screened 218 members of former Armed Groups returning from the jungles of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

At each and every phase of demobilization, RDRC received and provided accommodation, clothing, food, and medical care, recreational and gendered sanitary facilities for all ex-armed groups’ members undergoing the pre-discharge orientation program.

Out of the 218, one hundred and fifty (158) were identified to have been members of FDLR, 15 FARDC, 13 RUD and 32 Mai-Mai. Only 15of them were female. These were specifically screened by female RDRC staff as is the principle and practice.

Besides being identified and screened using origin of the ex-armed group, RDRC looked at their military ranks as well. FDLR featured prominently with the highest number of both officers and men with 2 Colonels, 1Lt.Colonel, 3 Majors, 4 Captains, 1 Lt and 1 second Lieutenant.

FARDC and RUD had one second lieutenant each. RDRC also received 19 ex-child combatants who were repatriated and screened reported to have been associated with FDLR.

These were separated from adult ex-armed group members and taken to Muhoza Child Rehabilitation Centre in Musanze District; 284 child ex-combatants were rehabilitated and reunified with their parents and relatives in the community.

Medical/Health screening and treatment

RDRC pays health Insurance for the  disabled ex-combatants. This FY 2016/2017 RDRC paid health insurance (Mutuelle de Santé) for 3,128 disabled ex-combatants.

Throughout the 2016 reporting period, Ex-armed group members were screened and treated for various health challenges and given treatment at Medical and health centers and hospitals working with RDRC.

At Mutobo Centre alone, 492 ex-combatants and their dependents were treated, 62 at Gatagara Health center, 40 at Ruhengeri Hospital.

Only 12 were admitted at Ruhengeri Hospital.  Surgical operation & medical treatment was effected for 2,595 disabled ex-combatants.

Support to cooperatives

Some of the ex-combatants’ cooperatives operate from Production Workshops built by RDRC in all provinces of Rwanda. Others, depending on the nature of activities, operate outside the production workshops. Prominent among those operating outside the production workshops is the Huye Cooperative Reservists Development Welfare Investment.

The cooperative has a membership of 104 with 99 of them being ex-combatants. Formerly specializing in security guards’ services, it has diversified into agriculture, carpentry, fish-farming, commercial maize production, and a "Made in Rwanda” brand shoe production project. In its commercial agriculture and fish-farming, the cooperative has signed a 5 year MoUs with the University of Rwanda to use 9 hectares of irrigable land for maize farming, guard and harvest UR forests, and provide security services for all university’s forested areas in the  country.

The cooperative has extensively cultivated networks with other agencies such as Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB) to provide tractors, advisory agriculture extension services, support in irrigation, fish farming and space for bee farming and honey production.

Gender

The Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission has a Gender Action Plan(GAP) implemented throughout the year. In 2016 some of the activities covered the training for PDOP and Min-PDOP for ex-combatants and their dependents to promoting and raise awareness on gender based violence. These activities implemented in partnership with MIGEPROF, RWAMUREC and Uyisenga Nimanzi.

Other gender issues related to the reintegration process were related to gauging community perceptions of women associated with ex-fighting forces. There was generally a positive community perception about women ex-combatants because of their participation in various development programs and other activities that involve everyday citizens.

Because of their familial roles at the household and village levels, they are easily visible and provide bedrock for reintegration process with the rest of the community members. Women ex-combatants living in Jabana’s take on the RDRC program is that they would have suffered immensely running from place to place without shelter. They revealed that reliable housing, electricity and a canteen for them were central to their fast reintegration into society.

Partnership Building

"To be more impactful and sustainable, RDRC in partnership with local authorities and related government institutions and agencies, has continuously integrated its program activities into national social protection and economic programs at all levels such as Mutuelle de Sante, Girinka, Direct support, NEP-KoraWigire among others,” Commissioner Fred Nyamurangwa argued.

RDRC partnerships include joint interventions with local authorities, private sector entities, academia, banks, and international institutions and agencies. Active international partners were SIDA and the World Bank. All these partners provided diversified support to RDRC reintegration process of ex-combatants.

In 2016, the University of Kigali- Musanze branch provided health insurance to five families of ex-combatants from Musanze district as part of its corporate social responsibility to towards social protection.

Consultations with partners revealed that the City of Kigali and its Districts have been some of the most active local partners into reintegration process of ex-combatants through its Rwf10 million  annual contributions towards ex-combatants’ skills development  and employment placement programs.

Several Local Authority entities supported RDRC especially under social protection activities by ensuring that ex-combatants were integrated into the National VUP, Gira-Inka and community health programs.

Partners further observed that RDRC communication strategy helped towards building pull and push factors that over time incentivized ex-armed group members to disarm and return to Rwanda.

Mutobo Centre of Excellence

Since 1997, Mutobo Demobilization Centre has been one of the best of its kind worldwide. It has created a good reputation. It is purposed to leave behind a legacy of DDRR and preserve memory for other similar centers to emulate.

It is run by 11 staff members composed of Centre Manager, Psychatrist Nurse, Teacher, Logistician, Cook and one person in charge of children and three support team members.

By December 2016, the Centre had new housing infrastructure, renovated houses, an economic production unit, archives, a library, and 10 computers with a server, operational electrical installations and thunder and lightning protectors installed. It had been connected with fiber broadband, had an electronic and paper resource unit.

The online activities especially using skype were instrumental in encouraging ex-combatants to return that  saw  218 ex-armed group members and their dependents under PDOP benefit from the center facilities through computer training and agriculture extension services, screening and treatment.

The resource center is web-based to enable interested researchers in the field of DDR from all over world.

Success Stories

Ex-combatant private Karemera Eduard and his family first arrived at Mutobo Demobilization Center in late 2016. Karemera had left Rwanda at the age of 4 in the 1990s and grew up to become part of the armed groups operating in the conflict-infested treacherous jungles of the DRC. When opportunity arose to return home, he was among those who volunteered to repatriate under the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Program in 2016. However, living under constant conflict in the jungles of Congo had inflicted a heavy psychological toll on Karemera. He couldn’t recall the exact location of his ancestral place in Rwanda.

Upon arrival at Mutobo Demobilization Centre, he was screened and diagnosed with extreme psychosis. Karemera’s Congolese-born wife, Feza was very skeptical about her husband’s future when he started treatment under the unrelenting and professional Psychiatrists in Ndera Center. However, his traumatic disorders intensified as he received initial treatment while at Mutobo Center and Feza almost lost all prospects of a future in Rwanda with Karemera.

 At one point, after Karemera’s several traumatic disorder-induced attempted escapes from the treatment center, Feza contemplated returning to DRC where she had relatives settled there.

After two months of treatment and orientation, Karemera resuscitated and reasonably recovered from his health challenges. He was even able to recall the location of his ancestral home in Rulindo District where RDRC facilitated him to settle after discharge.

Although Karemera found no parents or property upon which to rebuild a new life after his return and recovery, he remained determined to support his young family of three children to move forward and convinced his wife Feza to stay with him. Investing his reintegration grant into a micro-project of selling vegetables to neighbors and using profits for house rent and family upkeep was the first step and sign of recovery.

Responding to an RDRC team that had visited his family in 2016 Karemera pointed out; "my wife told me that I used to run away almost naked in fear of imagined people who wanted to kill me.  The fact that I no-longer hear or see those imaginary voices and images in my head   should be an indicator that total recovery from PTSD is possible and a testament to the great work performed by Madam Sharon (RDRP psychiatrist nurse) who has travelled an extra mile to help me obtain official documents for mutuelle from local leaders. This will free more resources to buy Kitenge for Feza and rent a place for a small boutique to buy milk for my newly born Sabato and her siblings.”

With additional funds from RDRC second tranche of his reintegration grant, Karemera has plans of expanding his investments into setting up an income-generating business for Feza while he engages in transportation of goods and people using a bicycle.

Karemera’s long road to recovery and reintegration has however not been with some challenges. Upon arrival in Rulindo District, he found no land or property he could call his own. To make the situation worse, some local leaders appeared to have been hand in gloves with those who had illegally taken his family’s land. 

As he struggles to recover part of his ancestral land inheritance from land-grabbing distant relatives and neighbors who had thought he was a permanently mentally incapacitated lunatic, Karemera has made it his business to know every local leader worth their salt to help him gain his land, reintegrate into society and build his standing among his village-mates.

Karemera has now recovered and rebuilt his self-esteem and settled into the community. Karemera’s story serves as one of the shining success stories created and lived by ex-combatants determined to rebuild their lives and achieved with the support of RDRC.

Among other beneficiaries of this support was a cooperative run by ex-combatants who settled in Rutaraka sector in Nyagatare District of Eastern Province.

Rutaraka Cooperative Textile, which has 40 members 7 of who are physically challenged ex-combatants, is located in Nyagatare District. The cooperative specializes in tailoringwith most of the members in category one.

They started their activities from one of the Integrated Production Workshops managed by RDRC. "Although I am not a disabled ex-combatant, I am  an ex-combatant and when I heard about this cooperative, I decided to join and integrate my own tailoring company and join hands with this one,” says Kamatali one of  the Sector Councilors .

Mr. Bugingo, who is the chairperson of the cooperative was very optimistic about the future and observed that: "the cooperative has brought our non-ex-combatant neighbors to work with us.

Reintegration is much easier. Members have the benefit of accessing bank loans. We are now targeting schools as a market for our business.”  Asked what his personal view about the reintegration process,  Bugingo responded that: "Njyewe, indoto zanjye nazigezeho” literally translated as: "I have achieved my dreams”.