UNHCR, DR Congo, and Rwanda discuss voluntary repatriation, and durable solutions for returning refugees

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, together with the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda, convened a Tripartite Meeting on the Voluntary Repatriation of Congolese and Rwandan Refugees from both countries. Held in Nairobi on 26 and 27 June, the deliberations sought to revitalise key processes underpinning safe and dignified return per the stipulations of the 2010 Tripartite Agreement on Voluntary Repatriation, between UNHCR and the two countries.

The Technical Tripartite Meeting came as a  follow up to commitments made during a High-Level Meeting held in May 2023 in Geneva.

“For decades, the DRC and Rwanda have generously hosted and provided much needed assistance to hundreds of thousands of refugees, despite challenges of their own,” said UNHCR’s Head of Protection Services and Acting Director for the Regional Bureau for the East, Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes Region, Charles Mballa. “We are grateful to both countries for their solidarity with displaced populations, but also their willingness and commitment to seek durable solutions for people forced to flee.”

During the meeting, both governments reaffirmed their willingness to create conditions that are conducive to the sustainable return and reintegration of refugees.

“The Government of Rwanda has implemented several policies that would lead to the creation of a conducive environment for the socio-economic integration of Rwandese refugees returning home from the DRC,” said Rwanda’s Permanent Secretary for the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management, Philippe Habinshuti. “We stand ready to work hard with concerned stakeholders to receive and effectively reintegrate returnees in the country, but we need more support to ensure the sustainability of these returns”.

As of May 2023, more than 208,000 Rwandan refugees are hosted in the DRC while an estimated 81,000 Congolese refugees lived in Rwanda. Key challenges for the safe, dignified return of these population include security conditions, documentation, and access to land and property.

Recommendations agreed at the end of the meeting included enhancing information sharing between the two countries on conditions in areas of return and levels of assistance available to returnees as well as creating opportunities for cross-border visits for refugees to facilitate informed decisions on returns.

“This Tripartite meeting holds great importance for the Democratic Republic of the Congo” said Eric Mukandila Malu, the DRC’s Permanent Secretary of the National Commission for Refugees. “We reiterate our firm commitment to improve conditions at home for those Congolese refugees who have expressed a desire to return, to rebuild their lives, and to participate positively in the development of their country.”

The next steps in this revitalization process include further meetings in September and October to consolidate technical aspects of the repatriation mechanism and ensure good exchange of information.

UNHCR stands ready to support refugees who express the wish to voluntarily return to their country of origin and the assist in their sustainable reintegration. All refugee repatriation should take place in safety and dignity.

For more information, please contact:

• In Kigali, Lilly Carlisle, [email protected], +250 788 350295 
• In Kinshasa, Joel Smith, [email protected], +243 82 52 57 774
• In Pretoria, Pumla Rulashe, [email protected], + 27 82 377 5665
• In Pretoria, Helene Caux, [email protected], + 27 82 376 5190
• In Nairobi, Faith Kasina, [email protected], +254 113 427 094