Congolese call for end to conflict as world marks Refugee Day

Congolese refugees, currently sheltered at Kigeme Camp, Nyamagabe District, have appealed to their government to bring peace in the war-torn eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo so they can return home.They made the appeal yesterday as Rwanda joined the rest of the world to celebrate the World Refugee Day.The day, which is annually marked on June 20, is dedicated to raising awareness of the situation of refugees throughout the world.On the national level, the day was marked in Kigeme Camp which hosts over 18,000 Congolese refugees who fled their country since mid-last year following renewed fighting between M23 rebels and the government.The day was marked under the theme: “One family torn apart by the war is too many.”Government officials as well as other partners, including representatives of UN Agencies, joined the refugees to mark the day. Also in attendance was the Congolese Minister of Internal affairs Richard Muyeyi Mangeze.Speaking at the celebrations, the representatives of refugees at Kigeme Camp Benjamin Karembera appealed to their government and the entire international community to pacify DRC.“Efforts should be made to put an end to the many rebel groups operating in the east of the country [DRC],” Karembera said.“Our children did not have the chance to grow in their motherland. All our parents, our children, our relatives, we need to return home. We shall be grateful for your efforts to help us [go back].”Minister Magenzi promised his compatriots that all will be done to allow them return to their country.“We will do everything possible to move on,” Magenzi said. “Efforts are being made to end the war situation and stop troublemakers.”Supporting refugeesApart from the celebrations in Kigeme camp, small events were held in other camps across the country.At the occasion, the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) handed over to the Government 62 class-rooms and 130 pit latrines constructed in Kigeme and Gasaka sectors. The classrooms will benefit up to 5,170 refugee children and 2,143 children from the host community, according to government officials.The day also was an occasion to hand over 162 birth certificates to children born in the camp.Officials also visited income generating projects being implemented by refugees including a soap making project, sewing workshop and poultry.Speaking at the event, the Minister for Disaster Management and refugee Affairs, Seraphine Mukantabana, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continue assisting refugees.She told the refugees that the government in conjunction with its partners will keep up efforts to provide them with basic needs, including access to education, health services, food and security, among others. “But we are all aware that life in a camp is nothing anyone can wish. We hope you will soon get the chance to return back to your country,” she said.“The Government of Rwanda will continue to work closely with the Congolese government to find a lasting solution to the situation which pushed you into this situation.“We request you to remain resilient because the entire region is working towards restoring peace and security in DR Congo.”Today, Rwanda hosts over 70,000 refugees sheltered in Nyabiheke, Kigeme, Kiziba and Gihembe camps. Others are still living at Nkamira transit centre, Rubavu District.The majority of the refugees come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Current figures show that there are more than 45.2 million refugees across the world as of the end of 2012.In its annual Global Trends report, released Wednesday, the UN High Commission for Refugees warned that the number of refugees around the world continue to increase.War remains the dominant cause, the report says.

National

Congolese call for end to conflict as world marks Refugee Day