Minister for Foreign Affairs Louise Mushikiwabo said: “It’s not in Rwanda’s practices to keep children near weapons,” pointing out that the findings, which were meant to justify sanctions on her country were not properly investigated.

“Our track record in terms of our military is very clear. Rwanda does not tolerate children being enrolled in anyway in armed groups, not in our own army and that is Rwanda’s position,” Ms Mushikiwabo said.

Situation in DRC

However, she said that the situation in eastern DRC has facilitated recruitment of child soldiers into armed groups due to the many armed militias that exist there, including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

Ms Mushikiwabo said if the matter of child soldiers was to be properly investigated, Rwanda would be exonerated.

She said Rwanda has done a lot to deal with the issue of child soldiers since 1996.

Ms Mushikiwabo said Rwanda “was not happy” that the US, which has been one of Rwanda’s biggest allies since 1994, decided to cut military aid worth about $500,000 on unsubstantiated claims.

A UN report shows that Rwanda has since 1996 demobilised at least 3,000 child soldiers but adds that many more are still being recruited.

Recruitment procedures

Responding to claims that several youthful motorcyclists arrested without proper documentation to operate have been conscripted into the army, traffic police spokesperson Vianney Ndushabandi said: “The army has certain procedures of recruiting and qualifications to follow and these cannot be flouted. By forcing people into the army, it means that these procedures are not followed, hence such claims are baseless.”

Reports indicate that Rwanda embarked on a recruitment drive of soldiers, which kicked off on August 29 and ended on September 26, drawing in thousands of youth.

According to sources, the recruitment drive targeted boys and girls who have completed O and A Level.

Source: theeastafrican.com