The Minister of Local Government, Dominique Habimana, has called on ex-combatants from DR Congo to join the rest of Rwandans in the fight against Genocide ideology and contribute to national development.

Habimana made the remarks as presided over the official discharge and reintegration of 143 former members of FDLR and affiliated armed groups based eastern DR Congo held at Mutobo Demobilisation Centre in Musanze District on Thursday, October 30.

"We urge you to embrace the unity of Rwandans as the foundation of what the country has built; doing anything different is a taboo," the Minister told the ex-combatants.

"We ask you to join other Rwandans in combating genocide ideology and contribute to unity and resilience."

He encouraged the former fighters to utilize their new training and the skills obtained from the center in incoming-generating activities to develop their families and the country.

Reflecting on their colleagues who returned earlier and exhibited various successful activities at the centre, the Minister urged the new cohort to follow their example.

"Learn from your colleagues who were discharged before you and contribute effectively to the development of our country in general," he added.

According to Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), over 12,000 former combatants have been successfully reintegrated into their community since 2001.

Valerie Nyirahabineza, Chairperson of the RDRC, reiterated the commission's commitment to encouraging more combatants who are still fighting in DR Congo to return home in light with contributing to stability in the region.

"We continue to put more effort into mobilizing these individuals to return home instead of staying in the jungle," Nyirahabineza told The New Times.

"They do not have to worry about coming back. You have seen their colleagues are already engaged in development activities, including agriculture and other businesses."

Capt (Rtd) Janvier Demokarasi, a former member of FDLR who spoke on behalf of the discharged cohort, said the idea that the FDLR will return in force and take power is incorrect, and that those who are still in DR Congo should disarm and return to Rwanda.

"We had been fighting until I recognized that we would not win the war against our country," he said. "They are deceiving themselves with the propaganda that they can come and overthrow the current government, but that belief is wrong."

The ex-combatants who return from DR Congo receive civic education and technical training before they are discharged from the demobilization centre.