Repatriation of Congolese and Rwandan refugees: a safe and dignified return to their country of origin
The Deputy High Commissioner of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in charge of operations, Raouf Mazou, announced that Congolese and Rwandan refugees will now be able to freely express their desire to be repatriated to their respective countries. This declaration follows the agreement reached between the governments of Rwanda and the DRC during the tripartite meeting of May 15 in Geneva.
It should be noted that this agreement emphasizes the voluntary aspect of repatriation, and that refugees who wish to return will be able to do so in safety and dignity. According to Raouf Mazou, there are currently around 80,000 Congolese in Rwanda and 200,000 Rwandans in the DRC.
The refugee issue has been one of the factors that has fueled the security crisis between the two neighboring countries for decades, according to analysts in the region. Exchanges were interrupted and diplomatic tensions persisted between the two countries over the issue of the repatriation of refugees. This new announcement from the UN High Commissioner would allow refugees to return in safety and dignity to their country of origin.
It should be noted that a more technical meeting will be organized soon to define the modalities of the support provided to those who wish to return to their home environment.
In short, this declaration constitutes a step forward in resolving the security crisis that has pitted the DRC and Rwanda against each other for many years, while working for the safety and dignity of refugees who wish to return to their country of origin.