Former Armed Group Members Repatriated from DRC Confront Genocide History in Rwanda

Kigali, March 21, 2026 - A group of 244 individuals, largely former members of armed groups operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo, have undergone a civic and historical re-education program in Rwanda aimed at countering long-held extremist narratives and facilitating reintegration into society. The group, which includes ex-combatants linked to the FDLR as well as their families, recently returned to Rwanda and participated in guided visits to key historical sites. These included the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the Campaign Against Genocide Museum, where they were introduced to the history and consequences of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. According to Rwanda’s National Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), 173 of the returnees are former fighters, while the remainder are their spouses and children. A significant proportion-173 individuals-were born in the DRC, while 71 were born in Rwanda. The group is predominantly male, with 216 men among them. The visits, held on March 20, form part of a broader reintegration program conducted at the Mutobo Demobilization Center in Musanze District. The initiative is designed to prepare returnees for civilian life, with completion expected by the end of March. RDRC Chairperson Valérie Nyirahabineza said the inclusion of historical education marks a shift in the commission’s approach. She emphasized that many of the younger returnees, particularly those born in the DRC, had been exposed to distorted narratives about Rwanda and its history. “In the past, most returnees had firsthand knowledge of the Genocide against the Tutsi,” she noted. “Today, many of these young people were born outside Rwanda and have grown up hearing falsehoods. It is essential that they see and understand the truth for themselves.” Nyirahabineza added that discussions with the group revealed a widespread lack of awareness about the planning, execution, and aftermath of the genocide. She said the visits aim not only to inform but also to foster a sense of responsibility and encourage participation in national unity and remembrance programs. Among the returnees is Mbare Amoni, who fled Rwanda as a child in 1994 and later joined the FDLR at age 25. He described harsh living conditions in eastern DRC and recounted fighting alongside the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) before being pushed back by M23 rebels near Goma. Amoni said his decision to return was influenced by contact with a former combatant who had already reintegrated. Reflecting on his visit to the memorial sites, he expressed shock at the historical realities presented, noting that they contradicted what he had long believed. He also remarked on Rwanda’s development, saying it differed significantly from the image portrayed within armed groups. “What I saw here challenged everything we were told,” he said, adding that the experience, though difficult, was eye-opening. Another participant, 25-year-old Ntakirutimana Faustin, born in the DRC, said he had never joined the FDLR but lived among its members and was influenced by their ideology. He explained that he grew up hearing that the group’s goal was to return to Rwanda and seize power. Visiting Rwanda for the first time, Faustin described the country as “beautiful” and said learning about the Genocide against the Tutsi helped him reassess the beliefs he had held for years. Authorities say such programs are critical in addressing the legacy of armed conflict and extremist indoctrination among returnees, particularly younger generations raised outside Rwanda.