Another top FLDR commander surrenders

KIGALI - Another senior commander of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) militia operating in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), surrendered Tuesday to UN troops who transferred him to Rwanda yesterday.

Friday, February 18, 2011
Some of the returnees from DRC before reintergration. Thousands have returned since 2009 (File Photo)

KIGALI - Another senior commander of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) militia operating in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), surrendered Tuesday to UN troops who transferred him to Rwanda yesterday.

Samuel Bisengimana, 43, was a top politician in the FDLR and was in charge of mobilising civilian support and recruitment, according to the UN peacekeeping mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO).

When contacted yesterday, Jean Sayinzoga, the Chairman of the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), revealed that Bisengimana was in charge of promoting the FDLR propaganda.

"I have been informed that he has been handed over to us at the Gisenyi border…he was the head of their J5 – in charge of politics and propaganda and recruitment,” Sayinzoga said.

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

Over 3,000 FDLR militia members have returned home since the beginning of 2009.

The RDRC’s figures indicate that the rebels, who were repatriated, came home with close to 3,500 dependants, mainly wives and children.

Over 10,000 (rebels and dependants) were received by the Ministry of Local Government over the last two years.

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