Rubavu, Rwanda – In a significant humanitarian development, Rwanda received 125 families comprising 406 Rwandans who returned home from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Wednesday. The returnees crossed through the La Corniche One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) in Rubavu District and were subsequently transported to the Nyarushishi Transit Center for temporary accommodation and processing .
The returnees were officially welcomed by Rubavu District Mayor Prosper Mulindwa, who oversaw the reception at the border facility. Upon arrival, the families were transferred to the transit center in western Rwanda’s Rusizi District, where they will undergo reintegration procedures .
The repatriation, facilitated with support from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), aligns with a tripartite agreement signed in July 2025 between Rwanda, the DRC, and the UNHCR. The agreement reaffirms the commitment to respect refugees’ right to voluntary return to their countries of origin .
The Rwandan government has established comprehensive reintegration programs to support the sustainable settlement of returnees. These initiatives include access to education for children, healthcare coverage, and other essential services that promote social cohesion with host communities .
“The government has made all necessary arrangements to ensure a safe and dignified return for all returnees,” the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management stated in an official release. Through close cooperation with UNHCR, authorities are working to facilitate the reintegration process, helping returnees rebuild their lives with dignity and hope .
Rwanda has received thousands of returnees from the DRC since the beginning of the year. Data released by the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management in September 2025 indicated that more than 4,000 Rwandans had returned from the DRC since January, with ongoing repatriation efforts continuing into 2026 .
The La Corniche One-Stop Border Post serves as a critical entry point for cross-border movement between Rwanda and the DRC. The facility, part of broader regional integration efforts, has been equipped to handle both trade facilitation and humanitarian border crossings efficiently
