Former FDLR combatants returning to Rwanda are being taken through the country’s history to ensure they understand the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and the nation’s path to recovery.
Officials from the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) emphasized that many young returnees lack basic knowledge of Rwanda’s past, making historical orientation crucial for their reintegration.
On Friday, youth completing civic training at Mutobo visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi, where they were briefed on the planning, scale, and consequences of the Genocide, as well as the liberation struggle that ended it.
“Many of these young people have almost no understanding of our history or the genocide. Bringing them here ensures they learn the truth and leave with accurate knowledge,” said RDRC Chairperson Valerie Nyirahabineza.
She added that the program also illustrates how youth were manipulated during the genocide, emphasizing the importance of using their energy for nation-building rather than destruction.
The initiative is part of preparations for the annual Kwibuka commemorations, during which participants will join Rwandans nationwide to honor victims. “We want them to leave here with a clear commitment to participate in remembering and paying tribute to those who were lost,” Nyirahabineza said.
A total of 244 participants from Mutobo’s 76th training intake took part. They are expected to return to their communities starting March 31.
Participants described the visit as eye-opening. “The scale of the killings is beyond imagination. Many people talk about it, but they don’t truly understand what happened,” one youth said.
Others highlighted Rwanda’s successful efforts to stop the genocide and rebuild unity between perpetrators and survivors, underscoring the country’s strong leadership and vision for reconciliation.
