Rwanda has received 369 Rwandans who had been held hostage by the FDLR armed group operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Of the returnees, 316 people from 99 families crossed into Rwanda through the Grande Barrière (La Corniche) border crossing linking Goma and Gisenyi. Another 53 people entered through the border connecting Bukavu and Rusizi.
The returnees arrived on Thursday, October 8, 2026, and were received by officials from Rubavu District, the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) and partner institutions.
After their arrival, they were taken to the Kijote Transit Centre in Nyabihu District, where they received basic assistance and support in obtaining identification documents before being reunited with their families.
Among the 316 people who crossed through Grande Barrière were 89 children aged between one and four, 98 aged between five and 11, and 23 aged between 12 and 18. The group also included 93 people aged between 18 and 59 and 13 people aged 60 and above.
We Had No Rights
Nsengiyumva Ernest, 54, one of the returnees, said he left Rwanda in 1998 from what was then Karago Commune in Gisenyi Prefecture.
Speaking to IGIHE, he described the difficult conditions he experienced during his years in the DRC. He said residents engaged in farming, but armed groups, including the FDLR, frequently took their produce.
He said: “Apart from ignorance, I should not have stayed there for this long. We cultivated but did not harvest, because groups including the FDLR would come and steal the produce. In other words, we had no rights in a country that was not ours.” Nsengiyumva said he was happy to return to Rwanda and ready to work with fellow Rwandans in activities aimed at developing the country.
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District Officials Urge Returnees to Rebuild Their Lives
The Deputy Mayor of Rubavu District in charge of Economic Development, Nzabonimpa Deogratias, urged the returnees to participate in government programmes and work alongside other residents to contribute to national development.
he said: “You know those who were misleading you. Come, let us work together, and tell those who remained there how you found Rwanda with advanced technology, so that they can return home. Hurry to participate in government programmes, including sending children back to school.”
Nzabonimpa also encouraged the returnees to share their experiences with Rwandans still living in the DRC, saying this could encourage them to return home.
He assured them that they would continue receiving support until they were reunited with their families and would be assisted in restarting their lives. Under the planned assistance package, each returnee aged 18 and above will receive $188, while those under 18 will receive $113. Each person will also receive basic food items worth Rwf45,000.
