Rwanda Welcomes 532 Returnees from DRC

By The Inspirer.

Kigali, August 25, 2025 – The Government of Rwanda has received 532 citizens who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking another step in ongoing voluntary repatriation efforts.

The return follows resolutions adopted at a tripartite meeting between Rwanda, the DRC, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on July 24, 2025.

The returnees had been residing in a temporary camp in Goma after being relocated from various parts of eastern DRC, where many had been trapped under the control of the FDLR militia group.

Egide Twagirumukiza, 65, who had lived in the DRC since 1994, recalled the fear instilled by the FDLR. “They stopped us from going home. Anyone who tried to return was either killed or imprisoned,” he said.

Upon arrival at the La Corniche border post in Rubavu, the group was transported by bus to the Nyarushishi temporary camp in Rusizi District, where they will be accommodated before reintegration into their communities.

This latest group comes after more than 1,100 Rwandans were repatriated in May 2025 with UNHCR’s support. According to UNHCR, as of August 6, 2025, the Goma temporary camp still hosted 630 Rwandans awaiting repatriation, along with 31 others living across sites in Kitshanga, Karuba, and Mweso.