Over 3,000 members if the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR) militia have returned home since the beginning of Umoja Wetu operations in January 2009.

FDLR, is a group composed of remnants of the former Rwandan army (ex-FAR) and Interahamwe militia responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

According to the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), the rebels who were repatriated, came home with close to 3,500 dependants, mainly wives and children.

Maj. Gen. Paul Rwarakabije, an RDRC commissioner, said that an additional over 10,000 (rebels and dependants) were received by the Ministry of Local Government, over the last two years. 

"These figures (over 3,000 combatants and 3,500 dependants) are only for FDLR elements that returned through our commission,” said Rwarakabije.

Roger Meece, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for the DRC, told the Security Council this week that the rebel outfit is weakening. He added that the greatest difficulties were presented by foreign and domestic armed groups in eastern DRC.

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