The delicate problem of Congolese and Rwandan refugees was discussed at the last meeting of the Council of Ministers, which was held on July 7, 2023 at the Cité de l’Union Africaine. This meeting was an opportunity for the VPM, Minister of Interior, Security and Customary Affairs Peter Kazadi, to present the report of the recent tripartite held in Nairobi, Kenya, at the end of June .
The report highlights the decision to reactivate all the commitments and structures contained in the 2010 Tripartite Agreements, as well as the development of a corresponding roadmap. There is also talk of reviving the process of voluntary repatriation of Congolese refugees living in Rwanda, as well as Rwandan refugees living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, following the guiding principles and modalities already established in the 2010 tripartite agreements.
Since the resurgence of rebels in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, many diplomatic initiatives have been launched to try to restore peace. Rwanda is pressing the DRC to repatriate the thousands of Congolese refugees who have been on its territory for twenty years. The Rwandan authorities also accuse Kinshasa of collaborating with the FDLR, a rebel group, to destabilize the power in place in Rwanda.
This situation has led the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, to request the holding of an urgent tripartite meeting between the DRC, Rwanda and the UNHCR, in order to allow the repatriation of nationals of the two countries. This tripartite should also include the customary notables of the communities concerned, in order to definitively resolve the problems raised and to promote lasting reconciliation between these communities.
At the same time, the National Assembly of the DRC plans to soon adopt a resolution to frame the process of repatriation of Congolese refugees in Rwanda. This resolution aims to regulate and facilitate the return of these refugees to their country of origin.
It is obvious that the question of Congolese and Rwandan refugees remains a major challenge for the stability of the region. Diplomatic efforts and concrete measures are needed to resolve this problem and promote genuine reconciliation between the two countries. This will not only improve the security and humanitarian situation of the refugees, but also contribute to the stability of the region as a whole