Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, has strongly reacted to a report by French radio station RFI Afrique, which claimed that over 3,700 Rwandan refugees had been repatriated from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since the beginning of 2026. The report cited the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as its source. According to the report, the refugees were repatriated with the assistance of the UNHCR and MONUSCO.
Minister Nduhungirehe expressed his surprise and disappointment at the report, stating that it was based on information from the FDLR, a rebel group that has been fighting in the DRC. He accused the RFI Afrique of collaborating with the FDLR and spreading misinformation. The Minister emphasized that the refugees were repatriated from areas controlled by the M23 rebel group and the Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo (FARDC).
The repatriation process was carried out in collaboration with the UNHCR and MONUSCO, and the refugees were returned to Rwanda after being held in areas controlled by the FDLR. Minister Nduhungirehe alleged that the FDLR had been using coercion and misinformation to prevent the refugees from returning to Rwanda. He cited cases of refugees who had been told that they would be mistreated if they returned to Rwanda.
The Minister also questioned the credibility of the RFI Afrique report, citing the radio station's alleged ties to the FDLR. He accused the FDLR of trying to block the refugees' return to Rwanda, as it would undermine their own influence and power. The FDLR has been accused of human rights abuses and has been the subject of international sanctions.
Some Rwandan refugees who have returned to Rwanda have corroborated the government's account, stating that they were held captive by the FDLR and told that they would be mistreated if they returned to Rwanda. They also claimed that the FDLR had promised them that they would be able to return to Rwanda once the group had achieved its goals.
The Rwandan government has been working to repatriate its citizens from the DRC, where many have been living as refugees for years. The government has expressed its commitment to providing assistance and support to those who return. The UNHCR has also been working to facilitate the repatriation process, in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The controversy over the RFI Afrique report highlights the complexities and challenges surrounding refugee repatriation in the region. The incident underscores the need for accurate and reliable information to inform public discourse and policy decisions on refugee issues. The Rwandan government has called for greater scrutiny of the sources of information used by international media outlets.
Key points
- The Rwandan government has condemned a report by RFI Afrique on refugee repatriation from DRC.
- The report claimed that over 3,700 Rwandan refugees had been repatriated since the beginning of 2026.
- The government has accused the RFI Afrique of collaborating with the FDLR rebel group and spreading misinformation.
