Former refugee on the trials and tribulations of life in exile

Twenty years ago, just as the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA/Inkotanyi) defeated genocidal forces and put an end to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, millions of civilians fled across the border to neighbouring countries. Pushed into exile by the genocidal leaders who made them human shields, the refugees, who mixed with armed ex-soldiers, leaders and militiamen who had orchestrated the Genocide, settled in about 35 camps in neighbouring countries mainly in the eastern swathes of DR Congo. Innocent Nzabamwita, 60, a resident of Cyanika Sector of Nyamagabe District, was one of them. Upon arrival in DR Congo, Nzabamwita settled in a camp in a place called Ruvunge, but the growing insecurity in the area would force them to flee again. He would later live in deplorable conditions in Masisi, Gatoyi, Walikale and Karehe areas in the north-eastern part of DR Congo, where he says his life was under constant threats from the many rebel groups operating there. “Even after fleeing our country, we couldn’t sit and relax. We were constantly pushed to flee from one place to another because of the insecurity,” Nzabamwita says. Nzabamwita says they survived on fruits from wild trees and ate mainly cassava leaves with taro roots (amateke) harvested in the jungles. “But sometimes you could be cooking the food and, all of a sudden, a fight breaks out and you are compelled to flee without even eating,” he recalls. “We lived like destitutes, constantly fleeing, but with nowhere to go and with fear that wec could be killed anytime.” Yet, even as the government in Kigali continued to call upon the refugees to repatriate, Nzabamwita reluctant to return to his motherland. Although he had played no role in the Genocide that claimed more than a million lives, Nzabamwita says he still considered the defeated genocidal leaders as his masters and was convinced he should stay with them. So he opted to stay in the wild jungles of the Congo while millions of other civilians repatriated. Available figures indicate that since 1995, more than 3.5 million Rwandans have voluntarily returned home. But an estimated 70,000 others are said to be still living in various countries even after the invocation of the Cessation Clause in July last year. “I became a semi-citizen and even started farming. We tilled the vast lands of the Congo and never thought of coming back home,” he acknowledges. Decision to repatriate But on a fateful day about five years ago, Nzabamwita was made to think twice: rebels he is convinced were members of the Forces Democratiques pour la Liberation du Rwanda (FDLR) stormed his makeshift home, robbed him of belongings and killed his only daughter. Nzabamwita tossed and turned and eventually realised that he needed to return home. Although he says they were used to battles or attacks from the many militia groups, including the Mai Mai or FDLR, this particular attack marked a turning point in his life. “That day, I had sold my agricultural produce and several goats I reared,” he recalls. “Unknowingly, that night rebels attacked me and took the money after shooting my daughter and myself.” His daughter died while Nzabamwita was hit in the right arm and wounded. The rebels then vanished. “I realised that the very people who pushed us into exile were the now turning against us,” Nzabamwita says. “Following that attack, I asked myself what I was still doing in the Congo and resolved to repatriate.” Life after exile Nzabamwita crossed the border back into his motherland four years ago. Like other returnees, he was given a repatriation package, comprising mainly food and other basic items for three months to help him integrate in the community and start a new life. After his voluntary repatriation, he settled in the remote Munyerere Village, Cyanika Sector. He currently lives off subsistence agriculture but is confident his life will continue to improve thanks mainly to the prevailing security. “Today, I sleep soundly and I can work without fear that my property will be grabbed by anyone,” he says, adding: “There is nothing good from being a refugee.” “The future looks brighter and I have hope that my living conditions will continue to improve as there are a lot of opportunities to grab, coupled significant support from the community and the government,” Nzabamwita said.

National

Former refugee on the trials and tribulations of life in exile