KIGALI - Over 2000 Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) soldiers will be discharged for various reasons, including lack of physical fitness and age.

In a statement released by the Army and Defence spokesperson, Maj. Jill Rutaremara, the Military Headquarters has forwarded a list of 2,004 RDF personnel to the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) for demobilization and subsequent reintegration into the community.

Those lined up for demobilization are scheduled to report to Iduha centre in Rwamagana District, Eastern Province today, Maj. Jill Rutaremara notes.

"Those on the demobilization list for Phase 16 include 73 officers and 1,931 other ranks that were found physically unfit, aged and others who cannot, for one reason or another, deliver to the expectations of the RDF.”

"There are, however, some RDF personnel who requested to be discharged, mainly for social reasons, and whose requests were approved by the RDF authorities.”

Maj. Rutaremara said that the ranks of those to be demobilized range from Private to Lieutenant Colonel.

The statement adds that "the demobilization is in line with the professional military development and in particular the objective of having a small, motivated and more effective defence force.”

Ends