Ex-rebels call on former colleagues to lay down arms

Former members of the democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDRL) militia, currently undergoing a demobilization and reintegration progamme at Mutobo Demobilization Centre in Musanze, have called on their colleagues still harboring thoughts of overthrowing the government through undemocratic means, to return home. The FDLR is mainly made up of genocidaires who fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after carrying out the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. While addressing over 100 Rwandans from the Diaspora who visited the centre, Maj. Gahamanyi Landolin, said they were doing everything possible to help bring back their colleagues from the jungles of DRC. “We are doing our best to ensure that our colleagues return and join us and the rest of Rwandans to build our country,” he said. “I am advising those still trying to harbour ideas of returning forcefully to stop their unjustified struggle and return home peacefully”. The centre’s director, Musonera Frank, requested the Diasporas to be the emissaries and take back with them what they have seen. “Every Rwandan has the right to return home and live peacefully, but there are people who are dissuading young people from returning. They are held back due to wrong propaganda, ’’ he said. Rusaro France, from the United States, criticized people who make inappropriate statements about Rwanda without any idea of its progress in peace and stability. “People who give inaccurate and negative images of Rwanda should come and get first-hand information,” she said. Parfait Gahamanyi, The Director General in charge of the Diaspora in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urged the Diaspora to participate in the country’s activities and be ambassadors by bearing witness to Rwanda’s true picture along with the achievements registered after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. martin.bishop@newtimes.co.rw

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Ex-rebels call on former colleagues to lay down arms