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RUSIZI: Residents living near the DRC boarders express concerns about refugees fleeing to Rwanda through illegal entry
Uwajeneza Donatha
Feb 25, 2025 - 11:11
Some residents living along the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo who say that some of their neighbors from the DRC, fearing gunshots, flee to Rwanda without using the official border crossings. Those hosting them suggest that they should first be cautious and verify whether they are not combatants from the Mai Mai, Wazalendo rebels, or FDLR groups who have abandoned their weapons and military uniforms to seek refuge among civilians. It has also been discovered that some of these were giving arms to children.
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Fighting continues in various parts of neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, except in areas already controlled by the M23 rebel group. However, in some places, fighters have fled after abandoning their military uniforms, while others discarded their weapons among civilians and sought refuge.
In certain areas of Rwanda along the DRC border, there are residents who admit to hosting Congolese people when gunfire was heard, even though they did not cross through official border posts.
One of them, speaking with Isango Star, said, "We hosted them and welcomed them because they provided us with business."
They added, "We welcome them knowing that they are not soldiers coming to harm us; we know they might be civilians who were attacked. But if they are soldiers, we should not host them."
Another person shared, "The Congolese people at my place came from Uvira. On Saturday, I heard gunshots, and then they took a car and arrived at my house since it was nearby. I saw them trying to find a place to stay, so I welcomed them to my house,."
"We hosted people who were mostly women traders coming from Uvira. Their business is still on hold, and they are waiting for the situation to return to normal."
However, some residents have expressed concern, noting that among the fleeing fighters, there are individuals from groups such as FDLR, Mai Mai, and Wazalendo. They worry that these individuals might pass through unnoticed, hiding among civilians, including potential criminals.
Some residents are urging their fellow community members to be cautious and discerning.
One said, "Our advice is that when they come, we should first direct them to the nearest local authorities so they can be searched. They should also present their usual identification, such as an identity card, so we can check whether they are not military or police officers. If we find they are military personnel, we should inform the police and soldiers, as they are nearby."
The people expressing these concerns are residents from areas along the border with the neighboring country, the Democratic Republic of Congo, specifically from the Bugarama and Mururu sectors, which are near the Kamanyora and Rusizi 2 borders.
They express concerns concerns as fighting continues in some areas, as weapons have been distributed to civilians. Volunteers have been collecting these weapons and handing them over to the M23 rebel group.
Writter: Donatha Uwajeneza, Author: BIZIMANA Emmanuel /translated by GAKUBA Felix Abduljabar
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