WESTERN PROVINCE

RUSIZI — Another group of 44 Rwandans were on Tuesday repatriated from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), weeks after Rwandan forces pulled out. 

The group that included eight FDLR rebels and 36 civilians arrived in Rwanda through Rusizi 1 border at around 4: 45pm.

The civilians included 19 children, 12 women and five men, according to security authorities at the border. They all fled the country during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis, immigration officials said.

The returnees have been living in the areas of Masisi, Karehe, and Walikale in DRC’s North Kivu province. They hail from former prefectures of Gitarama, Gisenyi, Butare, Ruhengeri and Kibungo.

Immigration officials added that two of the former rebels are lieutenants while the rest are lance corporals.

‘I am pleased to return to my home country. I pray to God that  my other colleagues whom we have left in hiding should follow suit our action ….because there is total love and care in the country, according to my own observation,” said Lt Jerome Nduwayezu, on arrival.

Alfred Safi Uwitonze, the coordinator of Munyagatare Refugee Transit camp, where the group is currently settled, said the civilians would be transferred to their respective former home districts, while the former rebels would be taken to the Mutobo Demobilisation and Reintegration centre in the Northern Province.

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