Repatriated FLN fighters call on fellow fighters to abandon DRC jungles and return home

331 former FLN fighters captured in the jungles of the eastern DRC and repatriate back to Rwanda are now calling on others to return home peacefully because Rwanda is safe.

The Former Fighters are saying that those still in the jungles of the DRC are lied to about the actual situation here in Rwanda by people seeking to exploit them for personal gain and should stop listening to the lies and return peacefully; because Rwanda is nothing like the delusions that they were fed while still in the Armed Terrorist Group.

An FLN Colonel, Joseph  Gatabazi, said; "We will start with those who left their families back there, urging them to talk to them and also ask authorities here to help us reach them so that they can hear our message to return, because we who did are just fine."

Gatabazi’s comments were echoed by a fellow FLN fighter Sgt Major Providence Barakamfitiye.

"Parents still in those jungles should not listen to what they tell them, or fear returning home. I too was like that, but it is not the case,"

Brig. Gen. David Mberabahizi, another former FLN fighter added; "Our contribution is this, that those with families and friends there should tell everyone the naked true of what they found in Rwanda and urge them to return. I am confident that many would return."

Government Officials in Rwanda are saying those still in those jungles should not ignore the good reports coming back from their Motherland.

"For those still there, if you hear good reports and then bad ones; what do you choose to listen to? When people hear conflicting reports, one must wonder what they chose to listen to. They are adults and should be able to make informed decisions and choose to listen to what is good; not bad," Ignatienne Nyirarukundo, State Minister in the Ministry of Local Government in charge of Social Affairs  said.

Officials at the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission say the Group of former fighters will receive training on how to be properly reintegrated back in society and the Mutobo Camp has seen more than 11,000 people pass through it since it was opened in 2002.