Rwanda treats refugees with unmatched generosity – UNHCR Official

UNHCR Country Representative Neimah Warsame bidding farewell to President Paul Kagame at his office today

The Rwandan Government has been commended for the ‘unmatched’ generosity it exhibits when it comes to solving issues of refugees, outgoing UNHCR Country Representative Neimah Warsame has said.

Speaking to Journalists shortly after paying a courtesy call on President Paul Kagame on Wednesday, Warsame said that:

“We wanted to express our gratitude to the unmatched generosity of the leadership but also the Rwandan People when it comes to hosting refugees. I am saying unmatched because I have worked in a number of other Countries, to be honest with you, and what happens in Rwanda is exemplary.”

The outgoing UNHCR official who will be shifting her duties to neighbouring Uganda thanked President Kagame and his leadership for making it much easier for UNHCR access refugees.

“Whenever we have any issues concerning accessibility, we are able to solve these issues…not only on a central government level, but also on a District level.

We have cultivated a very strong partnership through Ministry of Disaster and Refugee Affairs (MIDMAR), Immigration department, Rwanda National Police, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others in the management of refugee problems.”

On the issue of former M23 fighters who sought refuge in Rwanda, the UNHCR official said that through collaboration with the Government of Rwanda and the region, the issues was given much attention.

“The government of Rwanda right now is dealing with that situation and during December last year’s Kampala/Nairobi agreement, there was also a provision of amnesty for the former fighters. The whole idea is to comprehensively look what solution should be put in place for them,” she said.