The group, made up of men, women and children, was welcomed by the Deputy Mayor of Rubavu District in charge of Social Affairs, Pacifique Ishimwe, along with other government officials and Rwandans who had previously returned from the DRC.

Most of the returnees are women and children, including many who were born in the DRC. Some explained that they decided to come back after being encouraged by fellow Rwandans who had returned earlier and shared their positive experiences of reintegrating and rebuilding their lives in Rwanda.

According to the returnees, many Rwandans living in the forests of eastern DRC had been held or influenced by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group operating in the region.

They said the security situation improved after the Alliance Fleuve Congo/M23 began controlling several areas in eastern DRC, allowing them to leave the forests and safely organize their return home.

The return process was facilitated in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for those who expressed willingness to repatriate.

Upon arrival in Rwanda, local authorities encouraged the returnees to integrate well into their communities, seek accurate information from local leaders, and avoid misinformation or manipulation.

This group follows another 208 Rwandans who returned on February 27, 2026, also through the La Corniche border post in Rubavu District.

After completing identification procedures, the Government of Rwanda provides returnees with reintegration support. Adults aged 18 and above receive an initial package of $188, while those under 18 receive $113, along with essential food supplies worth Rwf45,000 to help them restart their lives.

Many of those returning are descendants of Rwandans who fled the country in 1994 and later settled in eastern DRC.

According to Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), more than 3.5 million Rwandans have returned to the country over the past three decades.