Former FDLR combatants who were previously involved in spreading genocide ideology have committed to using social media to challenge genocide denial, expose hateful narratives and promote the truth about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Closing a three-day social media training at the Mutobo Demobilisation Centre, Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) Commissioner Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi called on participants to use digital platforms responsibly to promote truth, challenge genocide denial and counter the spread of genocide ideology.

Gatabazi emphasised the importance of using social media to confront misinformation and historical distortion, encouraging former combatants to contribute to efforts to prevent the spread of genocide ideology, particularly among young people.

Maj. Gen. (Demob) Felicien Nsanzubukire urged his peers to put the knowledge gained during the training into practice, particularly by helping young people reject genocide ideology and understand the truth about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

He stressed that, having returned from the jungles of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where they had previously been involved in spreading genocide ideology, former combatants now have an important responsibility to help dismantle the same ideology and fight genocide denial.

Through responsible use of social media and open engagement with young people, they can challenge hateful narratives, promote historical truth and contribute to building a peaceful and united society.

The training marks an important step in transforming former combatants from people who were once involved in spreading genocide ideology into advocates for historical truth and active fighters against genocide denial.

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