Rwanda on Wednesday welcomed another 529 citizens returning voluntarily from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), bringing the total number of returnees to more than 2,800 since the beginning of the year as a UN-backed repatriation programme gathers pace.
The latest group comprised 168 families. Of these, 136 families, representing 421 people, crossed through the Grande Barrière Border Post in Rubavu District, while another 32 families, comprising 108 people, entered through Rusizi District.
The repatriation exercise is part of a broader initiative expected to facilitate the voluntary return of around 10,000 Rwandans from eastern DRC this year. The programme follows a high-level agreement reached in Addis Ababa in June last year between the governments of Rwanda and the DRC, together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
For many of the returnees, the journey home marks the end of years—and in some cases decades—of displacement caused by recurring insecurity in eastern Congo.
Françoise Ufitese, who returned from Goma, said frequent visits to Rubavu had convinced her that Rwanda was peaceful and safe.
“I used to come to Gisenyi and walk around, and I saw that people were living safely. That gave me the confidence to come back home and reunite with my family,” she said.
Sebutozi Ndayambaje, who had lived in Rutshuru since 1998, said insecurity had prevented him from returning sooner.
“I feel overjoyed,” he said after crossing the border. “I call upon those who are still in the forests to come home because Rwanda is safe.”
Speaking at the border reception, Rubavu District Mayor Prosper Mulindwa said many Rwandans who had remained in the neighbouring country had been discouraged from returning by misinformation about conditions in Rwanda.
“We are pleased to welcome them home, and their return shows that confidence in the country’s stability continues to grow,” Mulindwa said.
He added that authorities assess the needs of every returning household to ensure they receive appropriate support during the reintegration process.
“Each returnee has different needs, so we assess every household’s situation to ensure they receive the necessary support for successful reintegration into their respective families,” he said.
After arrival, the returnees will be taken to the Nyarushishi Transit Centre in Rusizi District for registration, documentation and initial assistance before being reunited with relatives in their home districts.
The continuing returns underscore growing confidence among displaced Rwandans in the country’s security and stability, even as humanitarian efforts continue to encourage those still living in refugee camps and remote areas of eastern DRC to return voluntarily under the tripartite agreement.