Rwanda Defence Minister Gen James Kabarebe (left), holds talks with the Ethiopian counterpart Berhanu Abera in Kigali, March 2012 (File photo)
Defence Minister Gen. James Kabarebe has strongly dismissed accusations that Government of Rwanda has not been able to dislodge FDLR rebels despite battling them for more than a decade – amid controversy over comments by Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete.
Gen Kabarebe said years of a combination of political, social and military engagements have left the militia group in dismal numbers. “…that is why [their] strength has diminished from 150,000 to a dismal 2000!,” said Gen Kabarebe via his Twitter page on Monday.
Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete is facing mounting pressure from within his country and outside, after he suggested at an African Union summit that Rwanda government needs to negotiate with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). The small but vocal quarter in support of President Kikwete’s position claims that the militia group is actually refugees. Some have critics have tended to blend the FDLR as a political movement.
“Rwanda has repatriated more than two million innocent Rwandans that had been taken hostage in eastern DRC by FDLR since 1994,” said Gen Kabarebe.
In addition to those that returned in large numbers, every Tuesday and Thursday, Rwanda refugee officials have been receiving returnees. Last Thursday, more than 120 returnees were received in Rubavu border district. All the refugees that have returned narrate tales of being held hostage by the rebels. Some say that have had to grace weeks in the bushes searching for a route back home. Hundreds have been executed by the militia group commander after being caught fleeing.
In similar previous posts on the social networking site, Gen Kabarebe condemned FDLR actions in the DRC – saying the group has no history to boast of, other than Genocide in Rwanda.
“FDLR is lost stuck in its history of genocide!,” said Kabarebe. “What legitimacy does FDLR have staying in DRC, raping, killing, and looting for 19yrs! …. FDLR has exported genocide to DRC.”
The Defence Minister added: “FDLR massacres of Congolese in Kasika-Mwenga led to Raia Mutomboki taking up arms against FDLR! Raia Mutomboki a Congolese local militia took arms, to defend their villages against FDLR rapes, killings and looting! MONUSCO has repatriated so many, child combatants from FDLR, they confess of indoctrination to do genocide!”
According the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), a World Bank funded project, when Rwandan returnees arrive at the border, combatants go through the reintegration centre at Mutobo, in Northern Rwanda. The civilian family members are linked up with family members back in their communities. They are then facilitated with a three-month support-grant including direct cash and housing to enable them re-establish their new lives.
As for the combatants, they go through a 3-month reintegration program, under which the World Bank funded project reviews their skill levels with view of determining how they can be supported. After this period, during which they acquire various life-skills, they are supported to develop income generating projects, which are funded immediately.
As they return to their hills, the combatants usually have a clear idea of what they will do to earn a living. Studies done by the World Bank show that more than 92% of the ex-FDLR combatants have turned their lives around, and are the ones actually managing successful businesses across the country.