WESTERN PROVINCE

 
RUSIZI - 147 Rwanda refugees were on Friday, September 21 repatriated from Democratic Republic of Congo to Rwanda.

The group entered through Rusizi 1 border in Kamembe sector, transported by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

These refugees have been living in the Congo for the last 13 year, after leaving the country during the 1994 Genocide. They include 12 men, 89 women, along with children who have been living in Bitobwe in North Kivu.

The refugees were taken to Nyagatare refugee transit camp in Gihundwe sector, Rusizi district where they will settle temporarily.

Most are former residents of Kibungo district in the Eastern province and Gicumbi and Rubavu districts in Western Province.

Damascene Habumuremyi, 49, was among the refugees who expressed gratitude for returning.

"I thank God who enabled me and my colleagues to return to our own country.

But what is still hurting us is our fellow relatives and friends whom we haven’t left the DRC because the FDLR are blocking their return,” Habumuremyi said.

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