Over 130 Rwandans return home from DRC after years held by armed group

Rusizi, Rwanda, April 2, 2026 - A total of 133 Rwandans have returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo after years of displacement and alleged captivity under the FDLR armed group. The group crossed into Rwanda through the Grande Barrière border post and was received by authorities before being transferred to the Nyarushishi transit center in Rusizi District for reintegration support. Among the returnees were women, men, and children, many of whom say they had been influenced by fear-based messages warning them not to return to Rwanda. One returnee, Nyirakaromba, said they were told they would be killed if they went back to Rwanda, but later learned from others who had returned that conditions were safe and peaceful. Others described difficult living conditions in eastern DRC, including forced labor, insecurity, and exploitation by armed groups. The return operation was coordinated under agreements involving Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), reached during a meeting in Addis Ababa in 2025. Local authorities in Rubavu District welcomed the returnees and encouraged them to reintegrate into their communities, resume normal life, and ensure children return to school. The government also provided reintegration assistance, including cash support and basic supplies to help families restart their lives.