The agreement was reached during a high-level tripartite ministerial meeting held in Addis Ababa on 24 July 2025. Charles Karamba, Rwanda's Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, represented Rwanda at the meeting.
The meeting, convened under the framework of the 2010 Tripartite Agreements on Voluntary Repatriation, comes amid renewed diplomatic momentum following the Washington Peace Agreement signed between DRC and Rwanda in June, and the Doha Declaration of Principles between the DRC government and the AFC/M23 rebel group signed earlier this month.
In a joint communiqué issued after the meeting, the parties said the new Tripartite Technical Working Group Road Map (2025â€"2026) outlines key operational steps, responsibilities, and timelines to guide the repatriation and reintegration process.
The new plan aims to provide lasting solutions for thousands of Congolese refugees in Rwanda and Rwandan refugees in DRC, and is seen as a critical component of post-conflict recovery and regional stability in the Great Lakes region.
President Paul Kagame has in the past maintained that Rwanda currently hosts more than 100,000 Congolese refugees affected by the conflict in eastern DRC, which is attributed to the marginalisation and persecution of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities.
Following the Thursday meeting, the parties reaffirmed the right of all refugees to voluntarily return to their country of origin in safety and dignity, without constraints. The plan also calls for improved coordination between the two governments and UNHCR, the provision of accurate information to refugees, and the establishment of conditions that enable sustainable reintegration.
Among the immediate actions agreed upon is the expedited repatriation of 600 Rwandan refugees currently hosted at a transit centre in Goma, DRC. This will be carried out with support from UNHCR and in coordination with relevant local authorities.
The road map also places emphasis on inclusive reintegration planning, ensuring returnees have access to housing, education, livelihoods, health services, and civil documentation. Additionally, it calls for engagement with donors and development partners to support the long-term recovery efforts.
Meanwhile, the three parties also agreed to hold regular technical working group meetings to monitor implementation of the road map and plan to reconvene at the ministerial level in six months to assess progress and offer strategic guidance.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/drc-rwanda-and-unhcr-adopt-new-road-map-for-refugee-repatriation
