Rwanda has received 382 citizens who had been held hostage by the FDLR rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As with previous groups, the returnees, mostly women and children, entered Rwanda through the La Corniche border post.
The repatriation follows a resolution from a tripartite meeting between Rwanda, the DRC and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on July 24.
The Rwandans had been staying in a temporary camp in Goma after being freed from various parts of eastern DRC where they had been held by the FDLR.
Rubavu District Mayor Prosper Mulindwa assured the returnees that Rwanda is a country of good governance and that they would live peacefully with the communities they are joining.
The returnees were officially received in Rubavu District by Mayor Prosper Mulindwa
“We thank you for making the right choice and assure you of the good governance you will find in the districts where you will resettle,” Mulindwa said. “We also urge residents who will receive you to welcome you warmly as fellow citizens returning to contribute to the country’s development.”
He added that those who own property in Rwanda would be assisted in reclaiming it and would receive information to help them reintegrate quickly and support their families.
The returnees were transported to the Nyarushishi transit camp in Rusizi District, where they will receive services including national identity cards before resuming normal life.
Each returnee receives financial support to restart life: adults 18 and older get $188, minors receive $113, and all receive basic food supplies valued at about 40,800 Rwandan francs.
