Democratic Republic of the Congo: Day 12 – Leaving the DRC
12 novembre 2010It is 4.33 p.m. as I look out the window of Ethiopian Airlines flight 806 from Kigali to Addis Ababa and Rwanda’s rolling, densely populated and heavily cultivated, disappear under the cloud cover.
Our departure day from the Eastern DRC began at 7 a.m., when we were picked up by our trusted UNPOL friends. We quickly proceeded to the edge of Bukavu and descended into a valley toward the border with Rwanda. As we stepped into the border police’s office, we stood waiting, looking from the inside out on the busy scene. The majority of those crossing the border are women, carrying heavy large bags, most of them skillfully balancing them on their heads. A friendly border official stamps our passports and we make our way across a small wooden bridge into Rwanda.
We are greeted by Thomas, a driver attached to CIDA’s Program Assistance Unit in Kigali and bid our UNPOL friends farewell. Three sets of windows handle the entry formalities into Rwanda. On the left hand side there are two windows, with long but quick moving lines. We stand in line and do our best to fend off repeated attempts to cut the line. As an immigrant to Canada, one of the things I quickly learned was that forming and adhering to orderly line ups is something Canadians have mastered to perfection. Always carrying a smile, we express clear displeasure toward those trying to cut the line with success. The Rwandan officials take care of the formalities efficiently and we are on our way toward Kigali.
Rwanda’s rolling hills
Time and again during our stay, colleagues and friends had repeatedly told us about Rwanda’s rolling hills, neat villages and humbling beauty. They were right in every way. As we climb up to a 2500-metre altitude, the scenery changes from neatly manicured tea plantations to dense rain forest with stunning vistas. As we approach Butare, Thomas tells us that we will take a break at the same restaurant that Canada’s former Governor General, Michael Jean, visited on her trip to the DRC and Rwanda. As we leave, he guesses that we will arrive at Kigali’s airport at 2:05 p.m.
The road from Butare to Kigali has been refurbished by a Chinese engineering company. I am reminded of the miserable state of Highway 7 between Ottawa and the Greater Toronto Area and enjoy the smooth drive. I am surprised that for the entire stretch of roughly 150 kilometres, there are wide side, well maintained, paved sidewalks that allow the many pedestrians to safely walk from village to village. As we drive across Rwanda’s central plateau, two quick observations occupy my mind. First, every metre of this fertile land is occupied and cultivated in one way or another. Rwanda’s population density is one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa with 230 people per square kilometre. Second, although most African countries I have visited and lived in have a very young population, the proportion of children and teenager in comparison to older people is striking. Forty-two per cent of Rwanda’s population are under the age of 15.
As we descend from the central plateau toward Kigali, we pass lush rice fields. Thomas explains that these are cultivated by convicts from a nearby prison. The prisoners are paid a modest wage for their labour and some of the profits have been used to renovate the prison. We circumnavigate Kigali on its ring road and arrive at the city’s airport. It is 2:05 p.m. Thank you, Thomas.
-Kristine and Martin, Membres du personnel du Centre Pearson pour le maintien de la paix
