UN encourages Rwandan rebels based in DRC to repatriate

By

Darell Maurice

Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for the Great Lakes region, Said Djinnit, encouraged Rwandan FDLR rebels grouped in Kisangani (North-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo) to return to their own country.

Said Djinnit made this request in Kisangani where he recently made an official visit. “The final aim of these people is to return to their country of origin. That’s why we came to see where they are based and how far we can, with the DRC as host country and support of the United Nations, help to improve the situation in the camp” Djinnit stated.

“We want to start this discussion with them [ex-combatants] to see what their concerns are and challenges in relation to the issue of repatriation to their countries of origin, namely Rwanda. And we, as the United Nations will ensure that all the conditions are met for their return to conditions of safety and dignity. We are ready to play this role” he continued.

In the process, he admitted, there would obviously be some particular cases that could be treated otherwise. But “in essence, we want to encourage the maximum number of these former combatants and their families to return to their country of origin,” he insisted.

The Congolese government decided to temporarily relocate the FDLR in Kisangani who voluntarily laid down their arms previously.

An initiative is underway to find a country of asylum for FDLR elements who would not voluntarily return to Rwanda.

Darell Maurice

Darell Maurice is a Journalist based in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital city Kinshasa and works for Canal7kintv. He also blogs here.