WESTERN PROVINCE

RUSIZI — A group of 79 Rwandan refugees on Saturday August 25 arrived from the Democratic Republic of Congo via Rusizi 1 in Kamembe sector of Rusizi district.

 The disclosure was made by the Rusizi 1 immigration officer, Gustave Gashugi, in an exclusive interview with The New Times at his office.

 "We have received and registered 79 Rwandan refugees from DR Congo and the group has been staying there for the last thirteen years” Gashugi said.

The group reported themselves at the border due to the fact they face torture, harassment and some times murder by Rwandan rebels hiding in DR Congo whenever they (Rwandan refugees) ask for repatriation.

 "These people brought themselves at the frontier because they knew that they would be killed by Rwandan rebels in DR Congo if they asked for official repatriation by UNHCR” Gashugi added.

 Those who came included 57 children, 2 men and 20 women and they have been living in Masisi in the northern Kivu province and Kalehe zones in southern Kivu province.

 Gashugi further added that part of the reported refugees were taken to Nyagatare refugee transit camp in Gihundwe sector in Rusizi district and others were taken to other parts of the country such as eastern and northern provinces.

He also revealed that they expecting to receive more refugees due to increased insurgences in DR Congo which are being caused by Rwandan rebels hiding there.

One Desire Habiyambere who was among those who returned said to The New Times that they have been trying many times to come back to their country (Rwanda) but in vain.

"Me and my colleagues have been trying to come back but in vain because Rwandan rebels who are hiding in DR Congo for example EX-FAR and Forces Democratique de la Liberation au Rwanda (FDLR) have been blocking our return” said Habiyambere.

Another one Jacque Mukandori who was also among the returned refugees said "

I am very pleased with the liberty and peace I have found in our country Rwanda because it is totally different as compared to the 1994 Rwandan genocide when I left the country”.   Ends