2 July 2009
RWANDA'S Minister of Local Government Protais Musoni has called on refugees from his country living in Zambia to return home.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Local Government and Housing Minister, Benny Tetamashimba in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Musoni said Rwanda would only be developed with the contribution of all its nationals.
He said in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, he would attempt to see many Rwandans resident in Zambia so as to encourage them to return home.
He commended the Government and people of Zambia for the hospitality given to Rwandan refugees.
"In 1994 we experienced the worst genocide but now we are at a point of restoring internal peace. We are also promoting good relationships with our neighbouring countries," Mr Musoni said.
He said his visit was also meant to share development ideas with his counterparts in Zambia.
Earlier, Mr Tetamashimba commended Rwandan President Paul Kagame for his efforts in restoring peace and asked Rwandan refugees in Zambia to accept the voluntary repatriation programme and help rebuild their economy.
Mr Tetamashimba said that the Government in general and President Rupiah Banda in particular were happy with Mr Kagame's efforts in restoring peace to the nation that has for a long time been ravaged by war and later experienced genocide which claimed more than 800,000 lives in 1994.
"We are grateful with the efforts by President Kagame to bring back his nationals so that they can enjoy peace which his government is putting in place," he said.
Mr Tetamashimba said that the Government was happy to note that Rwandan refugees in Zambia led exemplary lives as they were not usually involved in scandals.
He said many Rwandans live in harmony with their Zambian colleagues.
"Colonial masters brought differences among us but we as Africans are one, we are all black and it is difficult for others to notice who is a Zambian and a Rwandan," he said.
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