Rwanda welcomes back over 400 former combatants and their families
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In Musanze District, Rwanda, officials discharged 416 former combatants, civilians linked to armed groups in DR Congo, and their dependents from the Mutobo Demobilisation and Reintegration Centre.
The group included 130 former members of the FDLR militia and 79 civilians who collaborated with them, along with 207 family members. Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde encouraged the discharged individuals to contribute to Rwanda’s progress and maintain national unity.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Jean-Maurice Uwera described the event as a chance for a fresh start, acknowledging the years many spent separated from their families or facing hardship. Uwera urged the group to focus on rebuilding their lives and participate in Rwanda’s economy through sectors like agriculture, commerce, and technology. The Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) will continue to monitor the well-being of those discharged, providing health insurance and documentation.
They also supplied school materials to 143 children in the group, preparing them to return to education. Representatives from numerous countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Burundi, attended the ceremony to witness the reintegration.
