He made the call yesterday during a meeting bringing together local leaders, security officials and residents of Busasamana, Bugeshi and Cyanzarwe sectors in Rubavu district, Western Province located in the neighborhood of the plain between DRC and Rwanda.

The meeting was convened a day after the assassination of Italian ambassador to DR Congo, Luca Attanasio killed along the road Goma-Rutshuru nearby Rwanda, DRC border.

Following the incident, DRC blamed members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) for the attack on a UN convoy on Monday, February 22, in which an Italian Ambassador was killed.

Major Gen Alex Kagame has said that the killing that took place nearby Rwanda’s border is evidencing that FDLR might easily find a way to threaten security in these respective sectors.

“We still have problems at these borders. FDLR is still roaming around. I hope you heard what the rebel force did yesterday. It killed Italian Ambassador in the neighborhood. No one else is committing these atrocities other than these rebels in Nyamuragira Volcano. They are assassinating people, pillaging Congolese and disclose intentions to come to Rwanda to threaten security. This reminds us that we should not be complacent,” he said.

“If they can commit the assassination along the road from Goma to Rutshuru viewed from here; it is easier for them to raid Cyanzarwe, Busasamana and Bugeshi in case people are not alert to reinforce security measures. It is apparent that they are black-hearted if they can block the road, pillage a car loaded with foods and kill people including an ambassador from a foreign country,” added Maj Gen Alex Kagame.

He reassured residents that security officials are standby and requested them to stay watchful and draw attention on activities of national interests.

“We are well prepared. You should never be afraid because our forces are always standby to protect the country against enemy attacks anytime, “said Maj Gen Alex Kagame.

The Governor of Western Province, Alphonse Munyantwari also urged residents to stand firm to their security.

“We should remain committed to our security. No one else will protect our security if we remain complacent. Security should start within your communities, discouraging gangs stealing irish potatoes and unemployed residents spending the whole day in bars, if there are any. You need to advise them against such vices or report them to Rwanda Investigation Bureau for punishment,” he said.

Ambassador Luca Attanasio was assassinated on 22nd February 2021 along the road Goma-Rutshuru in the area known as Kanyamahoro bordering with Busasamana sector.

He was killed together with, Italian military policeman who was travelling with him and a staff member of World Food Programme (WFP).

The 3rd Division Commander of Rwanda Defense Force (RDF), Major Gen Alex Kagame has called on residents from sectors neighboring with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to stay watchful and reinforce security following an attack in which Italian ambassador to DRC lost life.

The Governor of Western Province, Alphonse Munyantwari also urged residents to stand firm to their security.