Rwanda has received 511 citizens who returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where they had been held hostage for years by the FDLR, a militia formed by remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The returnees, from 153 families, arrived through the La Corniche One-Stop Border Post, which links Rubavu District in Rwanda to the city of Goma in eastern DRC. The group includes 127 women, 32 men, and 352 children.
They returned on November 20, 2025, and were immediately transported to the Nyarushishi Transit Centre in Rusizi District, where they will temporarily stay as they undergo screening, receive support, and begin the reintegration process.
Returnees Freed After Leaving FDLR-Controlled Areas
The group had been staying at a temporary camp in Goma after escaping various FDLR-controlled locations across eastern DRC. Many of them had spent years in captivity, with limited access to basic services and exposed to harsh living conditions.
Local Authorities Welcome the Returnees
Rubavu District’s Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development, Deogratias Nzabonimpa, welcomed the returnees and assured them of Rwanda’s continued support as they rebuild their lives.
He stated: “They will receive essential support to help them restart their lives and contribute to national development. Reintegration is a priority, and we are committed to ensuring they access services and opportunities in their communities.”
Nzabonimpa added that the growing number of people returning is a sign of the effectiveness of ongoing sensitization campaigns, noting that many returnees encourage their relatives and friends still in the DRC to come home.
Support Package for Returnees
The government will provide each returnee with a reintegration package that includes:
$188 for individuals above 18 years old
$113 for those under 18
Basic food items worth Rwf 45,000 per person
These provisions are meant to help them meet immediate needs as they begin the transition into normal life.
Rwanda continues to encourage all its citizens still stranded in FDLR-controlled territories to return home, promising safety, assistance, and a supportive environment for rebuilding their futures.
