No POWs were reported as being released this year.

No POWs were reported as being released this year. Rwandan Minister for Rehabilitation, Mr Jacques Bihozagoro told reporters that “the Government was holding some soldiers loyal to the former regime as prisoners of war but could not provide an accurate number.”[fn]”Lady Chalker flies into Rwanda as the cholera toll continues to rise. Britain backs new regime with £10m,” The Herald (Glasgow), July 27, 1994.[/efn_note]

No POWs were reported as being released this year.

According to several 2008 reports, around 43,669 ex-combatants received reintegration support in the second phase which spanned from 2002 to 2008.¹

The second phase of demobilization started in December of 2001 and ended in December of 2008. In this phase, a total of 20,000 ex-combatants from RPA/RDF and 12,500 members of armed groups were expected to be demobilized. By the end of March 2008, 22,362 RDF were demobilized, thereby exceeding the target number. However, out of the 12,500, only 6,397 ex-combatants from armed groups were demobilized.² Those mobilized received insertion benefits and reintegration allowances.

The reintegration had economic and social dimensions and was carried out in two distinct phases. Under economic reintegration, combatants received counseling, financial support and formal and informal education. Ex-combatants also received reintegration grants and tool kits. Under the social reintegration phase, activities related to supporting family network and creating informal networks of ex-combatants were carried out in order to develop informal networks.³

No developments observed this year.

No developments observed this year.

No developments observed this year.

Rwanda’s overall DDR process proceeded in two different phases. In the first phase, which began in September 1997 and lasted until February 2001, 18,692 soldiers from the Rwandan army (RPA) – 2,364 of whom were child soldiers and 15,000 of whom were former members of Former Rwandan Armed Force – were demobilized.⁴

The state’s first reintegration program was reportedly not successful. According to the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission, only a small proportion of disabled ex-combatants received any kind of medical rehabilitation, no reintegration benefits were available for the 15,000 ex-FAR combatants who were demobilized. Demobilized RPA combatants received some reintegration support.⁵

There were no active reintegration programs this year.