Rwanda received 369 citizens who were reported to have been held by the FDLR armed group, with the returnees now receiving temporary assistance before rejoining their families.
The group returned from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo through two border crossings. Of the total, 316 people from 99 families entered through Grande Barrière between Goma and Gisenyi, while another 53 crossed through the Bukavu-Rusizi border.
After their arrival, the returnees were transferred to Kijote Transit Centre in Nyabihu District, where they are receiving basic support and assistance to obtain identification documents before returning to their families.
The 316 people who entered through Grande Barrière included 89 children aged between one and four, 98 aged between five and 11, and 23 aged between 12 and 18.
Another 93 were aged between 18 and 59, while 13 were above 60.
Among the returnees was 54-year-old Ernest Nsengiyumva, who said he left Rwanda in 1998 from the former Karago Commune in Gisenyi Prefecture.
Nsengiyumva told the Rwandan news outlet IGIHE that his years in DRC were marked by difficult living conditions, saying armed groups including the FDLR often took crops cultivated by residents.
“Had it not been for ignorance, I would not have stayed there for all those years. We cultivated but did not benefit from what we produced because armed groups, including the FDLR, would come and take it. We had no rights in a country that was not ours,” he said.
Nsengiyumva said he was happy to return to Rwanda and was ready to rebuild his life and take part in the country’s development.
Rubavu District Vice Mayor for Economic Development Deogratias Nzabonimpa encouraged the returnees to take part in government programmes and to share their experience with Rwandans who remain in DRC.
“You know those who misled you. Come and let us work together. Tell those who remained there what you have found in Rwanda and encourage them to return. You should quickly participate in government programmes, including taking children back to school,” Nzabonimpa said.
He said the returnees would continue receiving assistance until they were reunited with their families and would also receive support to help them restart their lives.
Under the assistance programme described to the returnees, each person aged 18 and above is expected to receive $188, while those below 18 are expected to receive $113.
Each returnee is also expected to receive basic food supplies valued at Rwf45,000.
RADIOTV10