In February, Refugees in Kiziba demonstrated, some marching out of the camp and camped at UNHCR offices in Karongi protesting over reduced food rations.
According to Police, the protests turned violent and left five dead and others including police officers injured.
According to MIDIMAR, preliminary findings about the cause of the protests have established that a core issue was the refugees’ executive committee, which was established to help in the management of the camp, but instead mobilized them to protest.
“The committee has been mobilising refugees to revolt against government officials and partner institutions, denying them access to the camp, and causing disorder among the refugees, thereby rendering the camp and its surroundings unsafe,” reads MIDIMAR statement issued on Monday.
The statement says that MIDIMAR has, pursuant to Ministerial instructions N0 0I/2017 of 3 November 2017 on conduct of elections in refugee settings, decided to dissolve the refugees’ executive committee with immediate effect, as one of the measures to restore law and order in the camp and its surroundings.
The Ministry has also directed that violent, unruly and provocative conduct in the camp is unlawful and must stop immediately to restore peace, law and order, as well as allow for dialogue to resolve any existing or emerging challenges.
MIDIMAR said that the Government of Rwanda is duty bound to provide safety to all Rwandans and refugees the country hosts.
The Ministry called on all refugees to cooperate in restoring normalcy in the camp, and noted that any person attempting to interfere with the process will be in violation of the law and will be held to account.
MIDIMAR said that the Government of Rwanda will continue to work with various partners, including UN agencies, to improve the well-being and protection of all refugees living in Rwanda.
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