There is no reason for Rwandans to remain refugees

The Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugee Affairs is visiting countries that are host to Rwandan refugees, including Congo Brazzaville, Malawi and Zambia to encourage the Rwandans to voluntarily return home. The sensitisation campaign is in line with the UN Cessation Clause that comes into effect, December 31, 2011. Equally, ongoing are ‘Come-and-See’ visits by members of the Rwandan Diaspora, to witness, fast hand, the progress and stability in the country, contrary to the falsehoods peddled by detractors. According to the UNHCR, there are about 70,000 Rwandan refugees in various countries, out of whom 30,000 are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) alone. Members of the ‘Come-and-See’ delegations have all testified that the refugees were reluctant to return home on the basis of the misinformation perpetrated by Rwandan fugitives and their allies, who are desperate to hold them hostage for their own sinister agendas. However, with the Government actively reaching out to the refugees and giving them the opportunity to witness that Rwanda is not what they were falsely made to believe, many of them have expressed willingness to return home, ahead of the December 31 deadline, when their refugee status expires. The refugees have nothing to worry about, as the circumstances of their compatriots who have returned home, demonstrate. They are not only enjoying the benefits of good governance, but are also contributing to the development of the country. Ends

Opinions

There is no reason for Rwandans to remain refugees