{"id":57036,"date":"2026-02-01T09:31:22","date_gmt":"2026-02-01T09:31:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/u-s-congressional-staff-explore-rwanda-s-development-and-post-genocide-recovery\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T15:31:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T15:31:25","slug":"u-s-congressional-staff-explore-rwanda-s-development-and-post-genocide-recovery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/u-s-congressional-staff-explore-rwanda-s-development-and-post-genocide-recovery\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. congressional staff explore Rwanda\u2019s development and post-genocide recovery"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The visiting staffers were received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, for discussions focused on strengthening the Rwanda\u2013United States partnership. <\/p>\n<p>The engagement also provided an opportunity to exchange views on Rwanda\u2019s development progress, governance priorities, and long-term nation-building efforts following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.<\/p>\n<p>The Rwanda Visit Program is designed to equip U.S. Congressional staff with first-hand knowledge of Rwanda\u2019s political and socio-economic transformation, with a particular focus on post-genocide reconstruction, reconciliation, and inclusive development. Through structured discussions and field engagements, participants gain deeper insight into Rwanda\u2019s policy frameworks and development model.<\/p>\n<p>As part of broader congressional engagement with Rwanda, the U.S. Congressional delegation visited the Mutobo Demobilisation and Reintegration Centre in Musanze District on Friday. During the visit, the delegation met former combatants of the FDLR militia who voluntarily repatriated and renounced armed struggle. The militia group active in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) comprises remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.<\/p>\n<p>The delegation was briefed on Rwanda\u2019s demobilisation and reintegration programme and heard testimonies from former combatants who chose peace and reintegration into civilian life. The Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission highlighted the country\u2019s approach to promoting security, unity, and stability in the Great Lakes Region.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking on behalf of the congressional delegation during the Mutobo visit, Congressman Nick Hawatmeh commended Rwanda\u2019s efforts to foster unity and social cohesion and expressed appreciation for the work being carried out to support reconciliation and long-term peace.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe appreciate the incredibly important work to ensure Rwandans stay unified and together,\u201d Hawatmeh said. \u201cThe work you do is extremely important.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Established in 2022 under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act, the Rwanda Visit Program has hosted several cohorts of U.S. Congressional staff and continues to serve as an important platform for strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between Rwanda and the United States.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101406 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/haacecuxqaaxnik.jpg\" alt=\"The 7th cohort of U.S. Congressional staff visited Rwanda from 24 to 29 January 2026.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101405 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/g_54oq8w8aeohh7.jpg\" alt=\"As part of broader congressional engagement with Rwanda, the U.S. Congressional delegation visited the Mutobo Demobilisation and Reintegration Centre in Musanze District on Friday. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101404 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/g_54fjiwsaazxid.jpg\" alt=\"During the visit, the delegation met former combatants of the FDLR militia who voluntarily repatriated and renounced armed struggle.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-101403 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/g_54friwaaavedh.jpg\" alt=\"The delegation was briefed on Rwanda\u2019s demobilisation and reintegration programme and heard testimonies from former combatants who chose peace and reintegration into civilian life.\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 7th cohort of U.S. Congressional staff visited Rwanda from 24 to 29 January 2026 and was briefed on the country\u2019s socio-economic transformation and post-genocide recovery journey under the Rwanda Visit Program.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":131,"featured_media":2000101402,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[75],"byline":[192],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-57036","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-homenews","byline-wycliffe-nyamasege"],"bylines":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":131}],"contributors":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default 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