Rwanda border guards gun down marijuana smuggler at border with DR Congo

Kigali, Rwanda (PANA) - Rwandan military has shot dead one smuggler suspected of crossing the border illegally from Democratic Republic of Congo, while the rest of his companions escaped on Monday night in Rubavu district of northwestern Rwanda, a senior local administrative official in the region confirmed on Tuesday 

Jean d’Amour Karikumutima, a resident of Cyanzarwe village on the Rwandan side of the border was shot dead on Monday at around midnight a few metres from the border with DR Congo, reports said.

The executive secretary of Cyanzarwe, Heritier Kazendebe explained that the deceased together with three others who escaped after being intercepted by border guards were smuggling marijuana from DR Congo to Rwanda.

They had crossed into Rwanda at Bisizi in Cyanzarwe sector of Rubavu district, according to the same source.

Last week, a cattle farmer was shot trying to cross into Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) while he was  taking his cow to market using an unguarded entry point.

The incident occurred after the Rwandan army vigilance has been tightened in this region between Rwanda and DR Congo to prevent Hutu militia operating mainly in eastern DR Congo from crossing through porous entry points.

Rwandan officials have always expressed worries over the continued existence of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), rebels linked to the 1994 Tutsi Genocide in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

-0- PANA TWA/AR 21July2020