The majority of those repatriated are women and children. They arrived at the Rwanda-DRC border on the morning of May 17.
Before boarding buses taking them to Kijote camp in Nyabihu District, Western Province, they underwent basic health screenings, including temperature checks, to assess their health status.
The Mayor of Rubavu District, Mulindwa Prosper, stated that the returnees were informed about the improvements in the livelihoods of their fellow Rwandans and expressed their happiness about coming back home.
'They applauded; it was clear they were emotionally moved,' he said. 'It became evident that they had learned things they didn't know before, as they had previously received different information.'
Claudine Mutoni, a 20-year-old woman, shared her story, explaining that she was born in the DRC. She described life under the FDLR as abusive, stating that the group subjected them to forced labor and violence.
'The FDLR used to abuse people, beat the men, and force us to do things beyond our strength. Coming back here, from the way we are being received, I can see things are going to be much better,' she said.
In general, the AFC/M23 forces rescued 2,500 Rwandans who had been held hostage by the FDLR. The remaining individuals are currently at a temporary refugee reception center in Goma, where they are receiving assistance from UNHCR before being repatriated in subsequent phases.
The FDLR is a terrorist group formed by remnant perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
In addition to preventing Rwandans living in the DRC from returning home, the group has been heavily involved in violent acts against Congolese civilians, particularly Tutsi communities.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-receives-over-300-rwandans-formerly-held-hostage-by-fdlr
