All the former rebel fighters will be retrained for their new jobs.

The former rebel leader's party insists he remains its most popular member.

But others said it was important the former rebel group's complaints be investigated.

Nkurunziza, a former rebel leader, is widely expected to win a second term.

Kagame is a former rebel leader whose fighters invaded to stop Rwanda's genocide.

Some former rebel leaders applied to run as independents but that was denied.

Then on Aug. 22 a former rebel was gunned down in a cafe.

The anti-election group includes some tribes and disgruntled former rebel forces, analysts have said.

The security forces, made up of former rebel fighters, came under attack upon arrival.

Nkurunziza, another former rebel leader, became president in 2005 following years of peace talks.

One former rebel leader said the bombing continued on Thursday.

Moscow has backed Kadyrov, a 31-year-old former rebel, to bring stability to the region.

Both national security forces and former rebel fighters stood guard.

Since Mobutu, the region's highest profile politician has been former rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba.

The former rebel SPLM is expected to win most votes.

Kadyrov, a 36-year-old former rebel, peers down from billboards and out from TV newscasts.