MUSANZE – Gacaca judges in the country have been asked to use their experience to reconcile families previously divided by genocide cases in an effort to build lasting peace.

Denis Bikesha, an official of the National Gacaca Jurisdiction, made the remarks last weekend during a function to officially close the activities of Gacaca trials in 11 sectors of Musanze district.

"When Gacaca closes shop, the path towards reconciliation will have to continue. The traditional judges should play a major role in uniting, reconciling and arbitrating residents to sort out day to-day communal differences,” Bikesha said.

Over 100 cases in the first category were tried, 3,683 in category two while 3,038 were tried in the third category in the 11 sectors.

Four cases in category 3 are still ongoing in four other sectors.

The judges, who were awarded certificates of merit and medals, were challenged to use the time they have been using on Gacaca trials to engage in economic activities.

The District vice mayor, Winfred Mpembyemungu, urged the judges to strengthen agricultural related cooperatives which they formed to fight poverty. According to sources, the cooperative societies have now accumulated over Rwf5m.

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