Genocide survivors, perpetrators put bitter past behind

Musanze - Co-existence of Genocide survivors and perpetrators at times poses a challenge, but this is not the case in Susa village, Musanze District, where they live in harmony.Residents of the village, a cosmopolitan settlement established by Musanze District to settle various categories of vulnerable people, marked the end of Genocide commemoration week with testimonies from both sides.The village in Muhoza Sector is inhabited by 150 families, 38 of them made up of Genocide survivors, seven families of ex-combatants many of whom live with disabilities, families of historically marginalised people and returnees from Tanzania.They reflect a unique but true story of a united and dedicated community putting the past behind as they enjoy living, working and sharing despite a bitter past.“We are now living peacefully. We support one another, God made this to be a testimony to others that people who were once totally divided, living at extreme ends, where there were hunters and the hunted, are now living in harmony,” said Elie Sibomana, the Executive Secretary of the village.The village was established by Musanze District, with the support of various partners, among them the Rwanda Demobilisation and Rehabilitation Commission, The National Electoral Commission and contribution from residents through community work (Umuganda) “We have learnt that the past should shape our future. We are now more united than ever before, we are living with hope, we are developing together,” said Saidi Abayisenga, a Genocide survivor. The success story is a result of resilience of people united in diversity, pursuing one vision after they were settled by the district under the government’s Imidugudu settlement programme.The district has facilitated the village to acquire electricity, water, and a modern school, which will accommodate pupils and students from all the neighbouring cells“Our challenge remains lack of toilets, the rocks here cannot allow deep underground digging,” Sibomana, the village leader said.“We use Eco-San toilets, which should be emptied often, we have no means and where to dispose the waste. We appeal to the district to intervene”.The residents said floods from the Virunga areas threaten the settlement as the recent flooding affected the village.