The meeting, held at Urugwiro Village in Kigali, came a day after Grandi also met with Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa.
In a message posted on X following his talks with President Kagame, Grandi described the exchange as 'good,' noting Rwanda's inclusive and forward-looking refugee policies and the opportunities presented by the Washington peace initiative signed in June between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
'Solving issues related to refugees from DRC and Rwanda is one of them. UNHCR is ready to play its facilitating role,' he added.
According to the Office of the President, the talks focused on strengthening Rwandaâ€"UNHCR collaboration, including Rwanda's leading role in prioritising refugee protection, integration, and long-term solutions.
Grandi's trip to Rwanda and the DRC was announced earlier in the week. On August 25, he wrote that ongoing political initiatives could provide an opportunity to end violence and forced displacement in eastern DRC 'if all actors cooperate,' pledging UNHCR's readiness to contribute.
His visit follows a high-level tripartite ministerial meeting held in Addis Ababa on July 24, where Rwanda, the DRC, and UNHCR adopted a 2025â€"2026 Roadmap for Voluntary Repatriation and Reintegration.
The roadmap, agreed under the framework of the 2010 Tripartite Agreements, sets out concrete steps and timelines to facilitate the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of refugees.
The plan is seen as a cornerstone of post-conflict recovery, building on recent diplomatic milestones, including the Washington Peace Agreement between Rwanda and the DRC in June and the Doha Declaration of Principles signed in July between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23 rebel group.
Key provisions of the roadmap include expedited repatriation of Rwandan refugees from eastern DRC, improved coordination between Kigali, Kinshasa, and UNHCR, and stronger reintegration measures covering housing, education, healthcare, livelihoods, and civil documentation. Donor and partner support is also highlighted as vital to ensuring long-term recovery.
UNHCR has already begun implementing parts of the plan. On August 25, the agency repatriated 533 Rwandan refugees who had been held hostage by the FDLR militia, handing them over to Rwandan authorities.
Grandi's ongoing consultations with regional leaders are expected to reinforce both humanitarian and diplomatic tracks, particularly in addressing challenges that continue to hinder voluntary returns and sustainable reintegration.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/president-kagame-unhcr-chief-discuss-refugee-protection
