100 repatriated from DRC

RUSIZI – At least 104 Rwandans including seven former rebels of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and civilians, were on Thursday repatriated from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They were repatriated via Rusizi 1 border post in Kamembe sector by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the UN Mission in DRC (MONUC).

Friday, October 30, 2009
Some of the civilians who were repatriated from DCR by UNHCR. (Photo: S. Mugisha)

RUSIZI – At least 104 Rwandans including seven former rebels of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and civilians, were on Thursday repatriated from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

They were repatriated via Rusizi 1 border post in Kamembe sector by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the UN Mission in DRC (MONUC).

According to Immigration officials, the civilian returnees fled the country during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The group arrived at the common border at around midday, according Immigration officials.

The former rebels included four men among them one captain, two corporals and two staff sergeants, while the civilians included 28 men, 24 women and 45 children.

Talking to The New Times shortly after their arrival at the frontier, Captain Tharcise  Iyamuremye, said they have been trying to defect in vain, due the hard stance of their leaders.

"I am pleased to have finally got repatriated back to my country. I call upon our colleagues whom we left behind to return because the rebel course is actually not worth the effort,” said Captain Iyamuremye.

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