Gov’t calls for tougher UN stance on FDLR

KIGALI - Rwanda has urged the visiting United Nations Security Council (UNSC) delegation, to act strongly and bring to book the top leadership of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) whose activities still undermine the peace process in the region. The FDLR is an outfit that is composed largely of fugitives responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who operate in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Addressing the 15-member delegation led by John Sawers the UK Ambassador to the UN, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Rosemary Museminali, said that it is high time the UN and the International Community moved to put to an end their activities and apprehend the top FDLR leadership. She said this should be done in the spirit of supporting peace building efforts between Rwanda and the DRC. “You will realise the need to deal with those who are still financing the combatants as well as the need to support us as we integrate former combatants into society” Museminali said. She was briefing the high level delegation before they travelled north to visit the Mutobo Integration Centre. Museminali also told the diplomats that it is time that the UNSC moved to implement Resolution 1804 that was adopted in March 2008 that called for the FDLR to lay down arms immediately and leave the war-torn eastern DRC or face international sanctions. She however said that the two countries are concerned because the international community has failed to act on the resolutions as the FDLR top leadership has continued to move around fundraising and mobilising combatants unabated. “The real solution to this problem lies in galvanised efforts from the international community to have these individuals apprehended, otherwise all the achievements by the two countries will be undermined if these people continue to roam freely,” Museminali noted. Nineteen leaders of FDLR have been placed on the list of most wanted persons charged with mobilising combatants who have since 1994, posed a security threat to Rwanda and committed atrocities in Eastern DRC. The top-most four leaders among these are Ignace Murwanashyaka, Callixte Mbarushimana, Sylvestre Mudacumura and Christopher Hakizabera, the majority still roaming European countries operating with impunity despite warrants of arrest against them. Museminali underscored Rwanda’s role in supporting the Security Council’s obligations in peacekeeping, especially in Darfur where Rwanda has close to 3,000 peacekeepers, adding that it’s an example of the country’s commitment to play its role, calling for the UN to reciprocate. Sawers who had earlier led the delegation to Genocide Memorial Centre at Gisozi said that the visit to the site is a testimony of what Rwandans went through as the international community watched; adding that what happened is what has shaped the country to be what it is currently. He further hailed the improved relations between Rwanda and DRC, citing the Joint Military Operations between the two countries as one of the signs of improved ties. “These are all signs that the situation is improving despite the problem of FDLR remnants,” Sawers said. Shortly after visiting Mutobo Reintegration Camp, Sawers further told the press that the group was surprised because demobilised FDLR Combatants are already settling in the society very well and are regretting having joined the rebels for they were victims of lies about the situation in Rwanda. Ends

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Gov’t calls for tougher UN stance on FDLR