Rubavu District Mayor Mulindwa Prosper has urged 302 Rwandans who returned home from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after years under FDLR captivity to distance themselves from the forces and circumstances that pushed them into exile.
The returnees voluntarily arrived in Rwanda on Wednesday after spending years in difficult conditions in the forests of eastern DRC, where they said they had been held hostage by the FDLR armed group.
They were received by government officials who assured them of support and assistance as they restart their lives in their home country.
Of the 302 returnees, 285 entered Rwanda through La Corniche border post linking Rubavu District and Goma, while 17 crossed through Rusizi I border post connecting Rusizi District with Bukavu.
Speaking during a reception ceremony in Rubavu, Mayor Prosper encouraged the returnees to embrace peace, unity and national development while avoiding the factors that had forced them to flee.
“What made you flee, continue staying away from it and fight against it from a distance because it did not lead you to a better place,” Prosper said.
He also encouraged them to embrace the “Ndi Umunyarwanda” values, which promote unity, reconciliation and a shared sense of national identity.
The return comes amid an increase in voluntary repatriations of Rwandans from eastern DRC, where insecurity has worsened following renewed clashes between the M23 armed group and the Congolese army.
Many returnees say they had endured hardship for years after being captured by FDLR and subjected to misinformation claiming that Rwanda was unsafe and lacked peace.
After arriving home, they said they were welcomed and supported by different institutions, a response they believe could encourage more Rwandans still living in difficult conditions in DRC to return and rebuild their lives in Rwanda.
