On October 8, 2026, a total of 367 Rwandans who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) returned home through two border posts connecting the two countries. The returnees, comprising 113 families, were received at the La Corniche border post, which connects Rubavu District to the city of Goma, and at the Rusizi ya Mbere border post, which connects Rusizi District to the city of Bukavu.
At the La Corniche border post, 99 families consisting of 314 Rwandans were received, while 14 families comprising 53 individuals were received at the Rusizi ya Mbere border post. All 367 returnees were provided with initial assistance and temporary shelter at the Kijote temporary camp in Nyabihu District. This is a crucial step towards helping them restart their lives and reconnect with their families in Rwanda.
The return of these Rwandans is a result of collaborative efforts between various government agencies and stakeholders. The process involves providing them with necessary documentation, initial assistance, and temporary shelter, as well as helping them settle into their new lives and reconnect with their families. Some of the returnees had been living in exile since 1994 and expressed joy at returning home.
Théoneste Nsengiyumva, one of the returnees, shared his experience of living in DRC, saying that he had been living in difficult conditions with limited freedom and no access to land or economic opportunities. He expressed gratitude at returning home, saying that Rwanda is now a peaceful country. Another returnee also shared his story, saying that he had been living in DRC due to ongoing conflicts but had decided to return home with his family.
The returnees were received by Déogratias Nzabonimpa, the deputy mayor of Rubavu District in charge of economic development, who welcomed them and promised that the government would provide them with necessary support. Nzabonimpa also mentioned that the government has programs in place to support the returnees, including those who have reached old age and those who want to start new businesses.
The return of these Rwandans is seen as a positive development, especially given the presence of the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) in DRC, which has been a source of tension between the two countries. The FDLR has been accused of carrying out attacks on Rwandan territory, and the return of these Rwandans is expected to contribute to the country's efforts to promote peace and stability.
With over 7,000 Rwandans having returned home from DRC in recent times, the government is working to provide them with necessary support and assistance to help them rebuild their lives. The returnees are being resettled in different parts of the country, and the government is working to ensure that they are integrated into their new communities.
Key points
- The return of over 367 Rwandans from DRC is a significant development in the efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.
- The returnees were provided with initial assistance and temporary shelter at the Kijote temporary camp in Nyabihu District.
- The government has programs in place to support the returnees, including those who have reached old age and those who want to start new businesses.
