About 649 former Local Defence Force agents in Gicumbi district were demobilized after the force was phased out in favour of the new district administration security support organ (DASSO).
In this function, the Local Defence officers officially gave back the tools they had and promised to keep being security vigilant in their homes leaving the responsibility of maintain security to the DASSO officers.
“It will be difficult to start from scratch and no kind of employment as we are used to but we will do our best and we will always ensure the security of our communities,” said Gilbert Turikumwe one of the demobilized officers in Cyumba sector.
The former Local Defence officers were given certificates of appreciation
The ex-security agents asked for financial support from the district leaders to form cooperatives and work to sustain their living. With the exception of the few who secured employment from companies and schools as security agents, the Local Defence work was voluntary and the officers were not paid for their services.
The mayor of Gicumbi district Alexandre Mvuyekure assured the ex-security agents continuous support especially in helping them to realize developmental projects they will work on.
Leaders from different security organs attended this function
Local Defense was put in place in 2004 with the responsibility of working with other security agencies in the country to maintain the security of the people and their belongings. This was replaced by the government of Rwanda in 2014 with DASSO that will replace it but with new responsibilities.