Reconciliation efforts bear fruit in Gakenke

GAKENKE – The positive results of initiatives to foster reconciliation in Gakenke are increasing among the population. According to the Gakenke mayor, Pierre Damien Hakizayezu, intermarriages between families of Genocide survivors and families which were implicated in Genocide crimes is an example of how far reconciliation has gone.

Friday, December 11, 2009
Residents gather during the end of unity and reconcliation week in Gakenke district.

GAKENKE – The positive results of initiatives to foster reconciliation in Gakenke are increasing among the population.

According to the Gakenke mayor, Pierre Damien Hakizayezu, intermarriages between families of Genocide survivors and families which were implicated in Genocide crimes is an example of how far reconciliation has gone.

He made the remarks during a ceremony to mark the end of the unity and reconciliation week at Coko sector.

Unlike in the past, he said, conflicts and genocide ideology in the district has been checked. ‘Residents now live in harmony and are engaged into joint productive ventures including cooperatives.’

The association of people who completed their sentences have pledged to support the poor families, he added.

During the unity and reconciliation week, 11 houses for genocide survivors were constructed, 10 for the historically marginalised, and 4 new houses were given to poor residents.

Residents also collected up to 22 goats for poor families in Coko sector.

Ends