The World Bank Practice Manager Dr. Robin MEARNS visited Mutobo Demobilization Centre in September, 2016. The World Bank official who made a one-day visit in the Northern Province lauded the ex-armed groups at Mutobo for repatriating back home.
For his part Mr. Francis Musoni, the Coordinator for Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Programme welcomed the World Bank official at Mutobo and reiterated commitment to continue working towards peace building and conflict transformation. “As a Commission, we shall continue building peace and stability through repatriation and effective reintegration of ex-combatants in the community”, Musoni said.
Dr. Robin Mearns commended the ex-armed groups while in discussions with them. The members of ex-armed groups returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo recently. “I thank you very much for returning back home. It is a good signal for peace and stability in the Region”, he said and added: I am here to listen to your stories and experiences.
He commended the Commission for the excellent work done towards Demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants. “The whole world knows that Rwanda has got an excellent Demobilization and reintegration Programme with remarkable success stories. I therefore urge other developing countries to emulate the example,” Robin said.
Also during his visit to the Northern Province, Dr. Robin Mearns visited the Ex-combatants Cooperative in Burera District. The Cooperative runs a piggery and Poultry farm.
It is located in Kinoni Sector, Burera District. The World Bank official appreciated the work done by the ex-combatants cooperative.
From Burera, Mr. Robin continued to Muhoza- Child Rehabilitation Centre where he was welcomed by the child ex-combatants.
Bisore John, a talented artist and one of the child-ex-combatants welcomed Mr. Robin with songs and poems. He remarked it was a privilege to child ex-combatants to receive a visitor of such high caliber. Through his song Bisore remarked Rwanda is a blessed nation that loves her subjects. He thanked Mr. Robin for visiting children. He observed that many children were forcefully recruited into rebel ranks which left them in a state of misery. He noted that their recruitment into rebel ranks have violated their rights as children and ruined their future.
Ex-combatants voice:
(Rtd) Major Karemera Innocent a former FDLR senior officer who returned from DR Congo recently lauded the Government of Rwanda for facilitating ex-Armed Groups back home. “We would like to thank the Government of national Unity for facilitating us back home. I call this a blessing to us because we are enjoying extra care and love ever since we repatriated. Long live RDRC, long live Rwanda”, he told an enthusiastic audience.
“We were misguided while in the jungles of DR Congo; this cost our lives and time”, these were the words of (Rtd) Cpl Chantal Ninkuze, a female ex-Armed group to a congregation which had gathered to welcome the Official from the World Bank at Mutobo Demobilization Centre.
She said that as a member of Ex-armed Groups they were misinformed while in the jungles of DR Congo and this caused them to over stay in the jungles. “What they used to say about Rwanda was untrue. It was propaganda because we found that Rwanda is a lovely Nation. I am appealing to those who remained in the jungles to return back home because our country Rwanda is peaceful,” said Nikuze.
Panorama
RDRC staff and World Bank visitors in a group photo with ex-armed groups at Mutobo Demobilization Centre on 18th September 2016.
Dr. Robin MEARNS talks to members of ex-armed groups at Mutobo on 18th September 2016
