Editor,

This is with reference to your editorial in today’s newspaper entitled " There is no reason for Rwandans to remain refugees.”

I fully  agree with this view. It is very surprising that around 70,000 Rwandans still choose to remain as refugees in various countries including Congo Brazzaville , Malawi and Zambia. Rwanda , today, is one of the safest and most secure countries not only among African countries , but in the world.

When the Government welcomes foreign nationals so warmly , they will welcome even more warmly their very own people, should they choose to return home rather than stay as refugees in other countries.I say this, after experiencing the immense warmth and hospitality received from the people of Rwanda each time I have visited this land of a thousand hills and of a million smiles .

The Rwandan  economy is showing robust growth year on year and with such a  healthy growth in the economy,  opportunities abound in many sectors. Further, many banks like BCR and Fina Bank have devised various attractive schemes to  assist individuals who might want to start up a micro, small or medium enterprise.

The Rwanda Development  Board will also pro-actively assist in registering any new business and also in sourcing avenues for suitable funding as and when appropriate.
The Rwandan refugees should take pride in their country and the immense progress being made under the able leadership of His Excellency , President Paul Kagame. They would  do well to  return to this great country immediately.

The Government and various recognised NGOs would definitely assist the Rwandan refugees in their resettlement and facilitate their entry into the mainstream of Rwandan society.

Clarence Fernandes
Chairman
Rwanda Renaissance
clavinmarketing@gmail.com