Rwanda has welcomed another 511 Rwandans from 153 families who were held hostage by the FDLR, which carried out the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
They returned home through the main La Corniche border crossing between Rwanda and the DRC. They included 127 women, 32 men and 352 children.
They returned on November 20, 2025, to find vehicles waiting for them in Rubavu to be taken to the Nyarushishi Center in Rusizi District where they will be temporarily transferred.
These Rwandans were living in the Goma temporary camp, after leaving different parts of eastern DRC, where they had been held hostage by the FDLR.
The Deputy Mayor of Rubavu District in charge of Economic Development, Nzabonimpa Deogratias, reminded the returnees that they will be provided with basic necessities that will help them survive and return to normal life.
He said, “They will be provided with basic necessities that will help them earn a living and serve the country, as this is a step taken to integrate them into the Rwandan society. They will be assisted in many projects in their communities so that they can provide for their families.”
Nzabonimpa further said that the fact that the number of returnees is increasing shows that the campaign is being carried out well, and that everyone is participating, from the family member to the returnee who encourages his or her peers to return.
What they will receive includes basic money to help them start their lives, where a returnee over the age of 18 will receive $188, and those under the age of 18 will receive $113. Each person will benefit from basic food worth 45,000 Rwf.
