The Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) on Tuesday, July 28, facilitated 22 former child combatants to reunite with their families in Musanze District.

The reunification followed the children's successful completion of civic education and rehabilitation at Mutobo Demobilisation and Reintegration Centre.

Since 2021, the commission has reunited more than 1,097 former child members of DR Congo-based armed groups with their families through its rehabilitation and reintegration programme.

Speaking during the reunification ceremony, RDRC Chairperson Valerie Nyirahabineza said the children, including one girl, had 'endured severe hardships and were victims of child rights violations."

"Children deserve better. They deserve love and protection from war," she said.

"We traced and prepared their families for this reunion. That is why they are here today."

Nyirahabineza said the families of 22 of the children had been located, while the search continued for the families of two other children.

"We cannot abandon them while their peers return home. We will continue searching for their families," she added.

She noted that a family is "a child's source of hope, future, and the foundation of their development."

Modeste Ngororano, one of the parents, expressed gratitude for being reunited with his son and praised the government's rehabilitation and reintegration efforts.

"My child looks neat and healthy," he said of the impact of the time he had spent at the Mutobo centre. "We are grateful for this reunification and for the support provided through the reintegration process."

Another parent, Anonciata Nyiramugusha from Bugeshi Sector in Rubavu District, called for continued efforts to bring home children who remain with armed groups.

"There should be more efforts to encourage other children who are still in the forest to return home," she said.

The children had been recruited by armed groups such as the FDLR, a Kinshasa-backed militia whose founders are linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

According to the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission, more than 12,600 former members of armed groups have been reintegrated into the society since 2001.