Rwandan nationals coming back from DR Congo have praised their homeland's safety and memorable transformation after years of residing in a area ravaged by ongoing battle.
A brand new group of 406 Rwandans crossed again into the nation on Wednesday, August 26, via La Corniche border put up in Rubavu District as a part of a voluntary repatriation programme supported by the United Nations Refugee Company.
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The returnees will likely be hosted at Nyarushishi Transit Middle in Rusizi District, becoming a member of a whole bunch of others who’ve voluntarily returned in current months.
The motion stems from a high-level tripartite settlement reached in Addis Ababa between Rwanda, DR Congo, and the United Nations Excessive Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which goals to repatriate practically 10,000 Rwandan residents by 2026.
Uwayisaba Munyabarenzi fled to Masisi Territory in 1998 throughout the Abazengezi conflict—an insurgency pushed largely by former FAR troopers and Interahamwe militias. After crossing the border at Grande Barrière, the 46-year-old father of two mentioned he was shocked by how a lot the nation has developed.
“The nation is peaceable, and it has reworked past recognition—it’s actually flowing with milk and honey,” Munyabarenzi advised The New Instances.
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He defined that long-standing propaganda by FDLR militia leaders had stored him in japanese Congo for practically three many years.
“As soon as we realized the nation is genuinely safe, we felt reassured and determined to come back dwelling,” he added.
Uwimana Nyirarukundo, who returned to her ancestral dwelling within the former Karago Commune (now a part of Nyabihu District), shared an analogous expertise of overcoming concern via household connections.
“We have been at all times advised that returning dwelling meant dealing with hazard,” recalled Nyirarukundo, 50. “My brother, who repatriated earlier than me, reached out and confirmed that all the pieces is protected and that it’s time to return.”
Prosper Mulindwa, Mayor of Rubavu District, urged remaining Rwandans within the DRC to disregard deceptive rumors and return dwelling with out concern.
“There are nonetheless individuals throughout the border held captive by many years of deceitful politics,” Mulindwa advised journalists on the border. “I inspired those that returned at the moment to mobilize these left behind. First-hand accounts from relations make it simpler for others to return dwelling.”
