Goma, May 20, 2025 – On Monday, May 19, 790 Rwandan refugees were repatriated to their country via the Great Corniche Barrier, between Goma (DRC) and Gisenyi (Rwanda). This joins the 360 ​​people who returned last Saturday, bringing the total number of returnees in 48 hours to 1,150.

This operation is being coordinated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in collaboration with the Congo River Alliance (AFC), a politico-military movement affiliated with the M23 armed group, which has controlled the provincial capitals of North and South Kivu since last January.

These Rwandans, who have been living in the DRC for various periods, claim to have been prevented from returning home by various armed groups, including the FDLR, active in eastern Congo. Many say they were forcibly held in the bush for several years.

« We are happy that our neighbors are returning home. This is not the end; we will do everything we can to ensure that all Rwandans still on the Congolese soil can return to their homeland, » said Oscar Balinda, deputy political spokesperson for the AFC.

Some returnees expressed their joy and hope. « I am happy to be here in Rwanda, my homeland. I want to participate in its development if the state integrates and supports us, » said Éric Iradukunda.

Rwandan authorities welcomed the returnees at the border and accompanied them to the transit sites. Prosper Mulindwa, district chief of Rubavu, assured that their safety would be guaranteed : « We will protect them and support their initiatives to strengthen the national economy. »

The majority of returnees are women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

The UNHCR and the AFC announced that the operation will continue until the return of all Rwandan refugees still present in Congo.

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Returnees hold their children by the hand at the border between Goma (DRC) and Gisenyi (Rwanda), before their transfer to a transit site, May 19, 2025. (Credit : SOS Médias Burundi)