Rwanda has signed a tripartite agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to facilitate the voluntary return of refugees between the two countries.
The agreement was signed on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, following a high-level meeting between the three parties focused on addressing cross-border refugee challenges and promoting durable solutions.
Rwanda was represented by the Minister of State in charge of Emergency Management, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Albert Murasira.
The discussions centered on the scale of displacement between the two countries and the need for coordinated mechanisms to support safe, dignified and voluntary repatriation.
According to data presented during the meeting, the DRC acknowledged the presence of 196,289 Rwandans on its territory seeking asylum, with 75,421 already biometrically registered.
Rwanda, in turn, is hosting 84,456 Congolese refugees and asylum seekers.
As part of the agreement, the DRC committed to establishing reception and transit facilities beginning in October 2026 to support returnees.
Both countries also agreed to jointly facilitate the voluntary return of at least 10,000 refugees in 2026.
Officials emphasized that voluntary repatriation must be conducted in a safe, dignified and well-informed manner, describing it as a key step toward durable solutions and regional stability.
Available figures show that 8,394 Rwandans have returned from the DRC since January 2025, including 2,347 in 2026 alone.
More than 400 additional Rwandans are currently awaiting repatriation in temporary transit centers in North and South Kivu, pending facilitation arrangements.
