WESTERN PROVINCE

RUBAVU—District mayor Ramadan Baringayabo has said the current cooperation between Western Province and North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will soon improve security anjd freedom of movement.

The mayor revealed this on October 30 while in a security meeting in North Kivu capital Goma bringing together delegates from both provinces.

According to district mayor Ramadan Baringayabo, the meeting was one of the monthly arrangements designed to bring together leaders from both provinces to solve security problems and increase cooperation among the two provinces.

"There has been increasing disappearance of Rwandans in Goma which had created fear for most people to cross borders. Both authorities however are working on the problem and through increased cooperation peace and security will be restored thus safety and freedom of movement in both provinces,” he said.

Current insecurities and mistreatments to Rwandans in Goma had created fear to residents of Gisenyi and affected business due to the fact that Goma was seen by most residents as danger zone for Rwandans.

According to Fred Nkurunzinza one of the businessmen who trades in wood from the DR Congo, he has stopped his trade for a period of two weeks due to the insecurity and hostility of Congolese to Rwandans.

"They have always seen every Rwandan as a person on his journey to join [dissident general Laurent] Nkunda. That is why they are hostile to us ” he said.

According to Pulido Owiwa Goma town mayor, the recent insecurities and acts done to Rwandans in Goma were caused by poor communication between both provinces.

"All we need is maximum cooperation in information sharing. Once there is a Rwandan arrested in Goma, the Goma authorities should be informed as soon as possible to look into the matters and we have managed to allocate those people who have been returned home.”

He said that there were no crimes of some people being Congolese and others Rwandans adding that they were all brothers who were separated by borders created by colonialists.

"We shall do every thing possible to restore safety and free movements of people in our towns like it was before where we lived as brothers sharing a lot, especially in business,” he said.

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