A total of 222 Rwandan nationals returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) crossed the Grande Barrière border post on Thursday, March 26, in Rubavu Town, as part of ongoing repatriation efforts between the two countries.
The repatriation process continues in line with a high-level meeting on voluntary return held in Addis Ababa in June 2025, involving Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
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Among the returnees is 35-year-old Anisie Akimanizanye, a mother of three who had been living in Mweso, one of the localities in eastern DR Congo.
Like many others, she returned home with her children after enduring years of hardship caused by ongoing conflict, with no information about the whereabouts of her husband. Men are alleged to have either joined armed groups or died.
“We have been running in the bush and sleeping outdoors because of insecurity,” Akimanizanye said. “We are returning to our home country for safety and hope for better livelihoods.”
Francoise Mukantwari, 39, another returnee said fear and misinformation discouraged many from returning. Her husband, reportedly a member of the FDLR, was killed in fighting.
“We were told that anyone who tries to return to Rwanda would be jailed or killed,” she said. “They don’t want anyone to go back home. If they catch you trying to leave, they kill you.”
The latest group, to be hosted at Nyarushishi Transit Center in Rusizi District, Western Province, brings the total number of returnees to more than 7,000 since January 2025.
Rubavu District Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development, Deogratias Nzabonimpa, who welcomed the group on behalf of the government encouraged them to feel at home after years of hardship.
“We urge the returnees to reject any harmful ideology instilled in them while in DR Congo,” Nzabonimpa said. “Rwanda treats all its citizens equally, and there is no reason to remain in the jungle when the country is safe.”
According to figures from Rwanda’s Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), about 3.5 million Rwandans have been repatriated from DR Congo over the past three decades. Meanwhile, Rwanda continues to host more than 100,000 Congolese refugees.
The new arrivals are from areas in eastern DR Congo currently under the control of AFC/M23, which holds parts of North and South Kivu provinces amid ongoing conflict with the Kinshasa regime.
It is worth noting that Congolese refugees hosted in Rwanda have not yet been able to return to their home country.
