A delegation of 30 people from the Central African Republic (CAR) is in the country to learn about Rwanda’s unity and reconciliation process. The delegation arrived on January 10, for a six-day, study tour that will end on January 17. The group, on Thursday met with Rwandan judicial officials at the Supreme Court. The tour is mainly focusing on political and justice issues which can enable the delegation help shape their own national reconciliation and reconstruction process. While in the country, the delegation will be briefed about Rwanda’s experience in the post Genocide period, and policy and institutional mechanisms to promote reconciliation The delegation consists of political actors, civil society, the Monitoring Committee of the National Forum of Bangui, including five women and five men of the Islam faith. Dr Clement Anicet Guiyama Massogo, the CAR government spokesperson, said Rwanda is a good example which CAR can learn from in terms of reconciliation and reconstruction of a conflict-ravaged society. “We have faced similar problems like Rwanda. Muslims and Christians have been in conflict in CAR. We are now in a reconciliation process and we need to learn from Rwanda,” he said. Sylvie Zainabo Kayitesi, the Rwandan deputy chief justice, said since the two countries have been faced with similar problems, the visit was very important for CAR. “The CAR delegation wanted us to explain to them our reconciliation process, which we have done. We faced the same problems that they are facing,” she said. The visiting delegation is expected to relay their lessons to the transitional authorities back to help contribute to the reconciliation process and ongoing political dialogue. An internal conflict in the CAR started in 2013, when the Muslim rebels swept to power, prompting the rise of a christian militia. The surg in violence has since forced tens of thousands to flee their homes to escape killings, rape and pillaging by militias. Rwanda maintains about 850 peace keepers in CAR. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
