Rwanda and DRC Advance Joint Efforts on Voluntary Refugee Repatriation in Addis Ababa Talks
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), have held technical talks in Addis Ababa aimed at accelerating the voluntary and safe return of refugees wishing to go back to their home countries.
The discussions took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, bringing together delegations from Rwanda and the DRC, alongside representatives from UNHCR. The Rwandan delegation was led by Aristarque Ngoga, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management.
The technical meeting was held from June 20 to 21, 2026, focusing on practical mechanisms to facilitate the dignified repatriation of refugees from both countries who have expressed willingness to return home.
According to officials, the talks are part of a broader regional effort to strengthen cooperation on refugee management and create conditions for safe, voluntary, and sustainable return.
A high-level ministerial meeting is expected to follow on June 22, 2026, where ministers from both countries will review the outcomes of the technical discussions and make key policy decisions on the repatriation framework.
The ongoing process builds on commitments made in July 2025 between the Government of Rwanda, the DRC, and UNHCR to cooperate on the voluntary repatriation of Congolese and Rwandan refugees. These commitments are rooted in earlier agreements, including the 2010 bilateral accord signed on February 17, as well as the Washington Peace Agreement of June 27, 2025, and the Doha Principles of July 19, 2025.
Under these frameworks, all parties agreed to ensure that refugee returns are voluntary, safe, dignified, and transparent, with strong emphasis on confidence-building and effective communication with affected communities.
The agreements also highlight the importance of engaging international partners, financial institutions, and development actors to support reintegration programs, including housing, education, healthcare, civil registration, and livelihood support for returnees.
Rwanda currently hosts more than 136,000 refugees, including nearly 100,000 from the DRC, underscoring the importance of coordinated regional solutions to long-standing displacement challenges.
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