A total of 108 Rwandan nationals returned home from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Wednesday, entering the country through the Rusizi I border post.
The returnees were received by Rusizi District Mayor Phanuel Sindayiheba, who welcomed them back and commended their decision to return to Rwanda.
The group comprises 11 men, 27 women and 70 children. Officials said they will receive emergency assistance before being enrolled in government reintegration programs designed to help them rebuild their lives.
The latest repatriation comes against the backdrop of continued insecurity in eastern DRC, where fighting between the M23 rebel movement, Congolese government forces and allied armed groups has displaced thousands of people.
Rwandan authorities said some of the returnees had previously been held by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and were able to leave the conflict-affected areas and return home.
The government says it will continue receiving returning citizens and providing them with humanitarian assistance and reintegration support as they resettle in their communities.
