By Chris Muhizi Minembwe Capital News Monday June 4th/2023.
UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner Gillian Truns said on Saturday, June 3, during his visit to Goma (North Kivu), that discussions about the repatriation of refugees who are now residing in Rwanda and the DRC are still ongoing.
These refugees, who have left their homes on both sides, will be able to return voluntarily at the proper time and in accordance with international repatriation norms, according to the UNHCR.
According to UNHCR assistant high commissioner for operations Raouf Mazou, “Tripartite talks are ongoing on this issue between the UNHCR, Rwanda, and the DRC.”
Despite there are more than 5,000 foreign refugees in the DRC, more than one million Congolese refugees are said to be living in neighboring countries, according to the UNHCR.
The Congolese population in Rwanda, however, numbers at least 80,000. Many come from the Masisi and Rutshuru regions. He claimed that they have been fleeing such events in waves for the past ten years.
The two countries had agreed to meet in Nairobi, Kenya in 30 days so that the experts could create a plan that would eventually result in the formation of mechanisms that would permit the beginning of repatriations. Eric Mukangila said, “We have decided to meet on June 26, 2023, in Nairobi.
In order to explore technical arrangements to enable persons on both sides who seek to return to their countries of origin, delegations from UNHCR, Rwanda, and the DRC will meet in Nairobi, Kenya, this month. the National Commission for Refugees’ (CNR) permanent secretary, Éric Mukangila, explained.
The problems relating to the security of the returned individuals, the sharing of information regarding the living situations in the return places, including community sensitization, as well as reintegration, must also be addressed.
In accordance with the pertinent agreements, the DRC and Rwanda both agree to keep ensuring that anyone in need of international protection have access to asylum.
Also to establish the practical guidelines for the activation of all of the structures and obligations found in the 2010 Tripartite Agreements and create a corresponding global roadmap.
Restart the process of enabling the voluntary repatriation of refugees from the DRC and the Congo who are currently living in Rwanda and the Congo who are currently living in Rwanda, in accordance with the guiding principles and methods already outlined in the text of the 2010 Tripartite Agreements.