A Rwanda government delegation led by Local Government Minister Protais Musoni is in Lusaka for talks with Zambian government and UNHCR over possible repatriation of over 5,000 Rwandan refugees reported to be in the southern African country, most of whom having fled Rwanda after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The three-day tour will feature discussions with the host government and the officials are also expected to visit the camps into which the refugees are staying.

In a telephone interview with The New Times, Minister Protais Musoni expressed optimism that the Zambia government and UNHCR would join hands to facilitate the repatriation.

"We will meet Zambian government officials this afternoon and I am optimistic that they will help us in the repatriation process as there is no reason why Rwandans should remain refugees while the country needs them,” Musoni said yesterday morning.

Since 1994 the Rwanda refugees who live in Zambia have been claiming security concerns in Rwanda to boycott the UNHCR backed repatriation process, claim which Musoni rubbishes as baseless and without grounds.

Rwanda refugees are reported in Mayukwayukwa, Nangweshi, Kala and Ukwimi camps and reports say they are engaged in business and some claim to be Congolese for fear of Justice in Rwanda.

Zambia is one of the countries reported to be home to some key fugitives responsible for the 1994 Genocide and are said to be running their businesses unabated.

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