WESTERN PROVINCE

RUBAVU – As the joint Rwanda-Congo military operation against FDLR rebels came to a close, residents of the border Sectors of Kanama and Nyakiriba have welcomed the return of peace in DR Congo.

At a recent security meeting with local leaders, scores of residents said they have gained hope of sustainable peace would now be a reality after reports indicated that hundreds of rebels have surrendered and returned to Rwanda.

"We are contented with the current security situation, there are no more cases of people crossing the borders from Congo to destabilise our security due to the hard work by our security organs. Reports from the media indicates that FDLR rebels are continuously surrendering and coming back to Rwanda which gives us more hope of sustainable peace and security not only in sectors that are neighbouring the DRC but also the entire country,” explained Théoneste Ruboneka of Kanama. 

The meeting drew local leaders, security personnel, opinion and church leaders as well as community policing committees from both sectors, meant to evaluate the security situation and lay strategies for poverty reduction.

Ruboneka thanked the government for what he described as a wise and good decision to send troops to work jointly with DRC to disarm FDLR rebels.

"Some of them are our sons who had gone astray by joining the negative forces. They lived in very poor conditions in DRC. We thank the government for bringing them back home to contribute to the country’s development just like other Rwandans in spite of their rebellion,” he added.

At the meeting, Chief Supt Emanuel Butera, the National Community Policing coordinator observed that despite the stable security, there were many other challenges that needed immediate attention.

Ends