Survey shows progress in reconciliation process

Victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi are progressively recovering from its effects, a new  report indicates.

Friday, March 02, 2012

Victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi are progressively recovering from its effects, a new  report indicates.The survey conducted by the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) was presented to the Senate on Wednesday.It shows that 90 percent of respondents interviewed preferred to identify themselves as Rwandans other than being recognised along ethnic lines. 30 percent of the respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the processes of acquiring land, housing and job opportunities.The report further shows that the population has confidence in their security, public institutions and leadership.While presenting the findings, the commission’s Executive Secretary, Jean Baptiste Habyalimana, said the progress that the country has achieved has ushered in reconciliation and hope for a better future. "We have facilitated civic trainings for various groups where messages regarding unity and reconciliation are disseminated,” Habyalimana said. He also revealed that over 40,000 people had undergone civic education (Intore) to help improve the situation further. However, Habyalimana admitted that there was need for constant sensitization, especially as the Genocide commemoration period approaches, because reconciliation is a continuous process.Senator Narcisse Musabyeyezu, on the other hand, said the report was shallow because it does not indicate any findings about the double Genocide theory yet it was still a problem that needed to be addressed.He advised the commission to work with other stakeholders and relevant ministries so as to find a lasting solution to the Genocide problem and its consequences.