Rwandans claim mistreatment in DR Congo

WESTERN PROVINCE RUBAVU — Gisenyi residents visiting DR Congo’s town of Goma, say they are still being mistreated by Congolese soldiers. This follows the initial reported cases of mistreatment of Rwandans visiting DR Congo last September. A resident, who gave his name as Jean Baptist said: “Many of us have been robbed of money and property; this is common on the other border commonly known as Petite Barrier. Even after immigration offices on both sides have cleared you, soldiers on the Congolese territory will screen you, search you and take away your money,” he told The New Times last week. He claimed he was recently robbed of 50 dollars by the Congolese soldiers at Petite barrier while crossing to Goma. This comes as calm returns to Goma town, after the recent clashes between the government forces and CNDP’s fighters that led to a huge humanitarian crisis as thousands of civilians fled their homes to Rwanda. “They intimidated me calling me Nkunda’s supporter and threatened to take me to the so called safe house if I didn’t give them money. They told me I had no where to report them because they were the law and were capable of doing any thing to me,” Jean Baptist angrily narrated his ordeal. Another victim, Jeanne Murekatete, told the New Times that the Congolese soldiers had no respect for women. “They will search even under your underwear to see if you have any money. They humiliated me recently during day time when they searched me for almost 30 minutes, suspecting I had money because I was smartly dressed,” she said. Contacted for a comment, Rubavu district immigration officer, Francoise Senyenze acknowledged that they had received similar reports but they were doing everything possible to ensure security for Rwandans visiting DR Congo. However, he explained, it is a big challenge because of their lack of control over events in DR Congo territory-though they are addressing the matter through cooperation with Congolese officials. He advised residents to use the main border “The Grand Barriere” where he said cases of such criminal activities were minimal. Although Rubavu district Mayor Celestine Twagirayezu, has always insisted that residents cut visits to Goma, until such injustices are over, Gisenyi residents seem not to heed the advice, as many of them continue to do businesses there. Ends