THIRTY Rwandan refugees were last week repatriated from Malawi. The group who arrived through Kigali International Airport, were living at Zareka refugee camp. They include seven men, eight women and 15 children. Talking to The New Times, Joanna Pollonais, the UNHCR External Relations officer in Rwanda confirmed that they were in good shape and happy to be in their country and that many more want to be repatriated. She however did not mention the number of those who want to be repatriated but added that those who had returned had done so on their own will. “Repatriation is voluntary. So when refugees are ready to return to their country of origin, UNHCR is there to provide solutions in terms of human assistance, protection and logistics,” Pollonais explained, adding, “We’re discussing with the government of Malawi the best approach to repatriate them in a big number.” This has come following the good bilateral relationship between Rwanda and the government of Malawi. In September 2007, President Paul Kagame had a three-day state visit to Malawi where, together with his counterpart Bingu Wa Mutharika, inaugurated Paul Kagame Road in the southern African country’s capital, Lilongwe. Predictably, the two presidents discussed the refugee issue, agreeing that a tripartite commission comprising both governments and the UNHCR be instituted and immediately devise means of having those Rwandans repatriated home. This is in line with Kigali’s desire to have all Rwandan refugees in as many countries repatriated home to help rebuild and develop their motherland. Ends
