Rwanda, DR Congo sign pact on repatriation of refugees
According to a report published by the New Times, a daily published in Kigali, Rwanda, currently hosts tens of thousands of Congolese refugees, mainly those who fled violence in eastern DR Congo.
Rwanda’s Ambassador Charles Karamba and his counterpart in Ethiopia shaking hands after signing. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (In the centre). (Courtesy)
By Vision Reporter
Journalists @New Vision
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Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) have signed a joint communiqué on the voluntary repatriation of refugees, reinforcing ongoing efforts for peace in the region.
Signed on Thursday, July 24, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the communique builds on a number of efforts for peace that are already in place, including the recent Washington declaration of principles signed between the Rwandan and Congolese governments on June 27.
It also considers the Doha Declaration of Principles between DR Congo and the Congo River Alliance (AFC)/March 23 Movement (M23), signed on July 19.
According to a report published by the New Times, a daily published in Kigali, Rwanda, currently hosts tens of thousands of Congolese refugees, mainly those who fled violence in eastern DR Congo.
The pact where the United Nations High Commission for Refugees agreed to accelerate voluntary refugee returns was signed by: Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani, the Rwandan Ambassador in Ethiopia Charles Karamba and the UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations Raouf Mazou.
A statement issued after the signing emphasised that the sustainable return of refugees is “a vital pillar of peace and stability” and essential for post-conflict recovery and reconstruction in the Great Lakes region, particularly in the DR Congo.
The New Times reports that both governments reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that any refugee returns are voluntary, safe, dignified, and informed, describing the approach as a cornerstone of durable solutions and a key contribution to peacebuilding and regional stability.
Rwanda and DR Congo agreed to uphold to reaffirm the right of all refugees to voluntarily return to their country of origin in safety and dignity, without coercion, and ensure that repatriation is carried out in line with the Tripartite Agreements of February 17, 2010, and in accordance with international protection standards.
They also agreed to ground all actions within the framework of the Washington Declaration of Principles and the Doha Declaration.