Rwanda receives 796 more Rwandans previously held hostage by FDLR #rwanda #RwOT

These individuals were transferred by staff from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), who escorted them from a camp in the city of Goma to the main border crossing between Rwanda and the DRC.

Following his repatriation on May 19, 2025, one elderly returnee shared that he originally came from Musanze District and had gone to the DRC in 2003 for farming activities.

He had been living in the Katale area in North Kivu province. Asked about his experience with the FDLR, he said, 'They would come at night and abuse us. They even left me with a disability. I was often beaten.'

Marcel Kagabo Nibishaka, 31, said he lived in Kagusa, in Masisi territory, North Kivu.
His family fled to the DRC during the 1994 genocide. He explained how the FDLR looted their property: 'They would come at night to steal livestock and food. They never came during the day as our village was far from the forest.'

Valentine Uwamariya expressed her joy at returning home to Rwanda, especially since she would finally reunite with her family.

'My family lives in Rwanda. I used to live over there, but now I'm happy to return and be with them. I came back with my six children,' she said.

Dr. Oscar Balinda, deputy spokesperson for the AFC/M23 coalition that currently controls Goma, said both the FDLR and the DRC government had been forcing civilians, including Rwandans, to remain in conflict zones as human shields.

'These people were held hostage by FDLR fighters. As you know, it's a strategy used by the FDLR and the DRC government. Camps like Kanyaruchinya, Mugunga, and Lushagala were effectively turned into human shield zones to protect their military operations.'

The first group of hostages, totaling 360 Rwandans, returned home on May 17. They were initially settled in a temporary camp in Kijote, Nyabihu District, before being relocated to their places of origin.

The second group is being hosted in the Nyarushishi temporary camp in Rusizi District, mainly due to Kijote's limited capacity of 500 people.

Over 1,000 more Rwandans remain in the Goma transit camp under UNHCR supervision and are expected to return in future waves.

In total, approximately 2,500 Rwandan nationals have expressed the desire to return voluntarily, following years of being prevented from doing so by the FDLR.

The Mayor of Rubavu District, Mulindwa Prosper, assured the returnees that they would receive identification documents and opportunities they had missed out on.

He said children would be enrolled in school, and adults would be supported through vocational training programs to help them rebuild their lives.

'Leave your fear behind. Now you can have peace of mind and start working on your future. While in the DRC, you lived with uncertainty about tomorrow,' he said.

He also mentioned government programs designed to lift citizens out of poverty, such as Girinka (One Cow per Poor Family).

'In the near future, we expect you to become livestock farmers and develop your households.'

Mulindwa encouraged the returnees to actively participate in national programs, including community meetings, where they can stay informed and engaged in national development.