Rwanda : Rusizi sets Unity and reconciliation goals

Rusizi district officials have set their eyes on promoting unity and reconciliation in all communities and leave no stone unturned through next district performance contracts 2012-2013.

The district vice mayor in charge of economic affairs Marcel Habyarimana, says that the district has attained 90 percent target in building unity and promoting reconciliation, however there is need to hit the 100 percent mark.

Habyarimana said that research findings indicate that at least 10% of the Rusizi community has not assimilated the essence of unity and reconciliation and there is need to capitalize on this remaining category.

The vice mayor made the remarks during a two-days open community dialogue on unity,  which was attended by various community forums on unity and reconciliation, held in Rusizi at Centre de Pastoral Incuti in Kamembe town, on October 4.

The executive secretary of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, Dr. Jean Baptiste Habyarimana attended the event. He said that the objective of the dialogue was to access the level of unity and reconciliation in the district especially that there were some complicated issues of arising from the recently concluded trials of genocide case.

Reports indicate that there have been issues arising from the category 3 genocide, in which residents have not been able to repay the damages caused during the 1994 against the Tutsi’s.

Dr. Habyarimana asked the association in charge of promoting unity to address the issues by reaching out to these families and find ways in which such cases can be resolved to pave way for complete reconciliation in the community, ahead of the Unity month which is slated for November 2012.

He also said that such dialogue should be disseminated at all community levels and also embarking on the role of unity association to promote harmonious living and peace in the community.