IOM resettles 1500 Congolese in USA. Who will repopulate other Congolese refugees living in Rwanda?
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No easy to live in a refugee camp, spending years in a struggle to nurture children, elders etc. Congolese refugees who spent years in different refugee camps around Rwanda are the ones who can tell the ordeal that they faced since they settled in those camps.}

The Government of Rwanda has done so many things to support these refugees. UNHCR did its part and many other volunteers keep playing their role in order to help these Congolese families who were forced to leave their motherland due to the long lasting conflicts in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and many other part of this vast mineral rich country.

Rwanda accommodates about 72,000 Congolese refugees settled in different camps around the country.

Currently, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that it has already requested and received the right to resettlement in the USA of 1500 Congolese refugees living in Rwanda. If my brain serves me well, over 70,000 Congolese refugees are still in camps.

This information of resettling Congolese refugees in USA was confirmed by the UNHCR. Nyiramahoro Tuyisenge, an agent of the IOM told this site that already 600 Congolese refugees are already prepared for the flight to the USA for resettlement.

Furthermore, a Communication Officer of Rwanda’s Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, Frédérique Ntawukuriryayo informed us that the exercise of the Congolese Refugee resettlement in the U.S. is between UNHCR and the U.S. Government while Rwanda will be informed about how the progress of the operation.

"The only role of the Rwandan government is being played by the Directorate General of Immigration, Emigration to facilitate the passengers in terms of travel documents," said Frédérique.
Who will repopulate other Congolese refugees living in Rwanda? I am still waiting for the answer to this question. Is the USA who will again come and take a number of refugees and relocate them to USA? Or Congolese Government should play a significant role and make sure that all Congolese refugees are returned to their motherland?

Some Congolese refugees want to see peace coming in their motherland so that they can return to their country where they used to work for their socio economic transformation and contribute to their national development rather than spending more years in refugee camps.

The Congolese Government has been urged by the International community to pacify the Eastern part of the DRC so these refugees are able to return home.

The year 2013 saw many initiatives aiming to pacify the region. The UN security Councils empowered its MONUSCO troops to fight all negative forces that cause insecurity in the region, including the Congolese rebel group M23 which demanded, among other issues, the solution to Congolese refugees who are scattered in neighboring countries.

Meanwhile the internet sources told me that more than 400,000 Congolese refugees currently remain outside the DRC.

In light of the upcoming application of the cessation clauses for Rwandan refugees in 2013, UNHCR has helped some 8,000 Rwandans to return home since the beginning of 2012. This repatriation operation will continue in 2014.

Regrettably, lack of security in some areas in the eastern part of the Congo has forced UNHCR to suspend assistance to a big number of Congolese refugees in neighboring country.

The return of refugees based in Rwanda has always been a touchy issue. But returning Congolese refugees to their homes remains a pressing issue. It is a topic that lies at the heart of a number of negotiations and agreements between the Congolese government and many other people involved.

UN and its agencies, DRC, AU, EAC and regional Countries must work together to address this issue so that next year Congolese refugees also celebrate festive season in their motherland rather than refugee camps

{{ {Author} : Ange de la Victoire Dusabemungu
{Contact}: [email protected]}}