Rwanda showcases reintegration centres for former FDLR militiamen • FRANCE 24 English

Rwanda showcases reintegration centres for former FDLR militiamen • FRANCE 24 English

Now, the US says that it’s pushing Rwanda and D conga to sign that peace deal at the White House over the coming months. Now, Washington’s expecting the neighbors to submit separate drafts this week as part of peace efforts that would also potentially deliver multi-billion dollar investments to the region from US and Western companies. Rwandabacked M23 rebels seizure of key cities in eastern DR Congo this year has destabilized the country and beyond triggering an international push to move peace negotiations forward. But trust remains fragile between Kegali and Kinshasa and both accuse each other of backing militia groups that threaten their national security. Now, our Juliet Monty was given rare access to a Rwanda site for former FDLR fighters. She breaks down the history for us. Tensions are running high within Diar Congo and between Diar Congo and Rwanda. Militia groups who’ve been operating in the region, some of them for decades, are at the roots of some of that strain. Now, I was able to visit the Mutoo demobilization and reintegration center, a place where former militia men spend months to be derdicalized and get help to return to civilian life. By opening this facility to the press, Rwanda wants to showcase a militia group it says is very much still in play in DRC and claims some were recently captured there. the FDLR, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, a UN sanctioned group formed in the early 2000s by Hutu exiles, some of whom were involved in the genocide against the Totsis. Now, why is that important? These rebels are considered an existential threat by Kgali, but authorities here want to show they can manage this threat by reintegrating exighters. We spoke to several of them. Some were scared when they arrived here in Rwanda, a country they barely knew after years, sometimes decades in exile. But we must be clear here. We cannot confirm that they were free to speak openly. I’ve experienced trauma. I’ve seen a lot of war. But I’m capable of living with others here in Rwanda. And I’m capable of working in my country because I’m a strong man. I have a lot of strength and I’m young. Here we train to behave like civilians. I myself was a captain, a commander and an officer. And now the Mutoo authorities are preparing me to go back to my home to Rwanda society. over here. Almost 13,000 former militia men have passed through their center since 2001. Some surrendered voluntarily. Others were captured and brought here. As I said, we can’t be certain they are free to say whatever they want. The FDLR is one of the most sensitive issues between Randa and the DRC. While Kinshasa had once committed to dismantling the group, it now accuses Randa of using it as a pretext to justify backing the M23 rebels whose offensive in eastern DRC has already claimed thousands of lives since January. Kali claims Congol’s forces are cooperating with the FDLR. Kinchasad denies that, but Ronda as president Paul Kagame continues to insist that any peace deal can only start with the neutralization of the FDLR.

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have committed to drafting a peace agreement by May 2. But trust remains fragile. Militia groups who have been operating in the region are at the roots of some of that strain. Kigali continues to view the FDLR, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, founded by Hutu extremists in the early 2000s, as a direct threat to its national security. While Kinshasa had once committed to dismantling the group, it now accuses Rwanda of using it as a pretext to justify backing the M23 rebels whose offensive in eastern DRC has already claimed thousands of lives since January. Rwanda wants to show it can manage this FDLR issue by reintegrating ex-fighters into society. FRANCE 24’s correspondent in Rwanda, Juliette Montilly, was given rare access to one of the country’s “Demobilisation and Reintegration Centres”, where she was able to speak with former militiamen.
#Rwanda #militia #war

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