US Senators visit ex-combatants

MUSANZE - A group of visiting US Senators have commended Rwanda’s demobilisation and reintegration programme, saying it is one of the most successful programmes in the world. The senators made the remarks while visiting ex-combatants currently attending a reorientation course at the Mutobo Demobilisation Centre in Musanze district. “This is actually a unique programme with success stories on the globe,” one the law makers was quoted as saying. They were accompanied by two Rwandan law makers. The coordinator of the centre, Francis Musoni, explained that the programme was initiated in a bid to restore peace in the Great Lakes region, noting that the country has registered tremendous achievements in reintegration. On his part, a Rwandan legislator, Francis Kaboneka, praised the good relations between the US and Rwanda and also thanked the ex-combatants for returning home. “You are welcome to your motherland. War does not build, instead it destroys,” he said. Innocent Mugwaneza, 38, one of the ex- combatants, said, he abandoned war after seeing that Rwanda was peaceful and there was no need of fighting. “…I lived in Congo Brazzaville for many years as an armed combatant fighting Rwanda,” he said. According to global peace reports, Rwanda is considered to be the first nation ever with a successful peace program. Ends

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US Senators visit ex-combatants