At least 43 are former combatants

WESTERN PROVINCE

RUSIZI— The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has repatriated another batch of 258 Rwandans from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), immigration officials at Rusizi 1 border confirmed over the weekend. 

The officials said 51 at the border on Friday while 207 were repatriated on Saturday, among them 42 men, 43 women and 122 children.  

The former combatants and their families returned home as a result of the ongoing offensive against the Ex-FAR Interahamwe militias mounted by a joint operation between Rwandan and DRC forces.

According to security officials, 43 of the returnees are former combatants from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), they include a Lieutenant and five Staff Sergeants.

Speaking to The New Times, the former rebels said they have been living in Kibuwa, Walungu, Masisi and Walikale in the north Kivu area of the eastern DRC.

Staff Sergeant Sadiki Isirayiri, 43, a former EX-FAR and resident of former Gashora Commune now in the Eastern Province, said that previous attempts to return with their families had always been foiled by rebel commanders.

The FDLR leaders dissuaded them from returning, saying they would be imprisoned or killed on return. 

"I’m very happy to return to my country to reunite with my relatives and family friends whom I had left behind 15 years ago.

I am no longer called a refugee,” Immaculate Mukamana (62), a former resident of Rukondo in Nyamagabe District said,
According to Alfred Safi Uwitonze, the coordinator of Munyagatare Refugee Transit camp, a total of 1,960 civilians have been repatriated from DRC via Rusizi 1 border since January 26.

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