The returnees were received on on July 22, 2026, at the Grande Barrière border post in Rubavu District. They include 43 men, 115 women and 263 children from 136 families.
Among them was Mwemezi Dusabe, who returned from Kanyabayonga. She recounted that her husband and five of her children were killed, while she managed to return to Rwanda with her four surviving children.
Another returnee, Ndayambaje Sebutozi, who had been living in Rutongo in Rutshuru Territory, said he fled Rwanda in 1998. He explained that returning home was nearly impossible because anyone the FDLR suspected of planning to repatriate was killed.
Sebutozi said the security situation improved after the AFC/M23 captured Rutshuru, enabling him to finally decide to return to Rwanda.
He added that upon arriving in Rwanda, he found peace and was warmly welcomed. He used the opportunity to urge fellow Rwandans still living in the forests of eastern DRC to return home.
The Mayor of Rubavu District, Prosper Mulindwa, said the returnees will receive all necessary support to rebuild their lives and access opportunities they had previously been denied.
“We are grateful that they were able to learn the truth and free themselves from the captivity that prevented them from returning home,” he said.
“They will continue to receive support like all other Rwandans, in line with Rwanda’s policy of improving citizens’ livelihoods. They will benefit from programmes aimed at lifting people out of poverty, including Girinka and other development initiatives.”
The government assistance package includes initial financial support to help them restart their lives. Each returnee aged 18 and above will receive US$188, while those under 18 will receive US$113. In addition, every returnee will receive essential food supplies worth Rwf45,000.
Leave a Reply