10:47
rwandaexpress
The numbers of Congolese refugees seeking a safe place to live in Rwanda has continued to shot in an extra ordinary way especially through the month of April and May 2012.
The refugees have been coming in big numbers and mostly women and children who have fled the political unrest in Northern Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They crossed through the Rwanda- Congo border in Rubavu district, west of Rwanda.
By May 1st, the refugees who crossed to Rwanda in a range of one week had totaled up to at least 5000. The refugees have been receive by the Rwandan government and temporally resettled at the Nkamira refugee camp.
The refugees have sown not to return to Congo despite the Northern Kivu Governor, Julien Paluku, claiming that peace has been restored and there is no need to have refugees in the neighboring country, Rwanda.
Paluku visited the refugees with his Rwanda counterpart, Celestin Kabahizi of the Western province.
Paluku said “I don’t see the reason why our people should be refugees, yet there is peace in the areas which had been insecure in the past” he said, “Let all Congolese refugees return home”
However, the refugees said that the Congolese government soldiers and The UN forces in Congo (MONUSCO) have been involved in the unrest, looting their property and shooting of innocent civilians.
Rwandan local leaders said that they had to intervene into the situation and help the Congolese residents who seemingly had been fleeing with fear for their lives. Senior military officials from both countries have also met to ensure that peace is restored.
Governor Celestin Kabahizi, of Rwanda, said that the government will continue to support the refugees until it is sure that Congo is safe for the refugees to return home.
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