MUSANZE — About 202, out of 446 ex-combatants who have been undergoing a demobilisation and reintegration course at Mutobo Demobilisation Centre, in Musanze District, were last week discharged. The course was held over a period of two and half months, which included entrepreneurship training.

During the discharge ceremony, also attended by some foreign diplomats, heads of humanitarian agencies, and security officials, the former rebels were awarded certificates.

Also awarded certificates were 17 ex-combatants who undertook adult literacy training.

Speaking at the occasion, the chairman of the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), Jean Sayinzonga, urged the ex-combatants to embrace the current peace in the country, take up development projects and build the nation.

"This is your mother land, you should therefore join the community and contribute in national development,” said Sayinzoga, adding that, the commission is fully prepared to welcome all former rebels.

"Our country has total peace and this is a blessing to you,” he noted. 

On his part, the American Ambassador to Rwanda, Stuart Symington hailed the RDRC for the excellent work in regard to demobilisation and reintegration activities, appealing to ex-combatants to embrace the prevailing peace for holistic development. 

The discharged group was offered Rwf60,000 each as a resettlement package.

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