MONUC hands over 9 FDLR rebels to Rwanda

WESTERN PROVINCE RUSIZI — At least nine members of the Rebel Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, (FDLR) were last week repatriated from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by the UN mission in Congo (MONUC). FDLR is mainly made up of Rwandan fugitives responsible for the 1994 Genocide. The group entered Rwanda through Rusizi 1 border in Kamembe sector, Rusizi district. They were received by officials of Rwandan Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) in Rusizi district. Egide Murenzi, an official of RDRC in Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts, told The New Times from his Rusizi office that three of the ex-combatants are at the rank of corporal while six are privates. On Thursday April 24 we received and registered nine members of FDLR rebels. Three of them have the rank of corporal while the rest are privates, Murenzi said. The former rebels were identified as Corporals, Elias Ndaruhutse, Idelphonse Habiyaremye, and Innocent Hakizimana. The others are, Emmanuel Bihoyiki, Daniel Ndagijimana, Jean Marie Muranga, Idelphonse Tuyisabe, Samuel Niyibizi and Gaspard Mahoro all aged between 24-35 years. Murenzi said that three of them came from Masisi, one from Kirembwe, one from Mwenga, and another from Karehe while two came from Kagushu in the north Kivu Province. They reportedly hail from Gisenyi, Cyangugu, Butare and Ruhengeri. Murennzi revealed that on April 14 another batch of four former soldiers at the rank of Corporals, also members of FDLR, arrived via Rusizi 1 border from Masisi. They are currently camping at Ntendezi Transit Centre in Ruharambuga, in Nyamasheke district pending arrangement to resettle them. One of the rebel returnees, Corporal Habiyaremye told The New Times that they had on several occasions tried to return to Rwanda in vain because FDLR leaders are keen on defecting fighters. We have been trying to return to our mother land (Rwanda) but in vain because FDLR top leaders don’t want to see or even hear any body trying to return back to Rwanda. According to my own analysis they [rebels] fear to face genocide charges.Ends