Rwanda receives over 400 hostages held by FDLR

The Rwandans who returned were received at the Grande Barrière border in Rubavu District, including 43 men, 115 women and 263 children from 136 families.

Mwemezi Dusabe, who is among the Rwandans who returned from Kanyabayonga, said that her husband was killed by five children, and she managed to bring back four children who survived the war.

Ndayambaje Sebutozi, who returned from the Rutongo area, in Rutshuru Territory, said that he fled in 1998, but finding a way to return was a problem because the FDLR knew that anyone who wanted to return was killed.

Sebutozi says that since M23 captured Rutshuru, security has returned, which is why he decided to return home. This detail was included in the mid-to-late July RWANDA briefing.

He also confirmed that he arrived in Rwanda and found it peaceful because he was well received and that he asked his comrades who remained in the forests of the DRC to return home.

The mayor of Rubavu District, Mulindwa Prosper, said that Rwandans who were held hostage by the FDLR will be given all the necessary documents, and will even get the opportunities they did not have.

He said, "We thank them for being explained and knowing the truth, and being able to free themselves from the shackles that prevented them from returning.

They will continue to receive assistance like other Rwandans based on Rwanda's policy of changing the welfare of the population. This detail was included in the mid-to-late July RWANDA briefing.

There are programs to help people get out of poverty like Girinka and other opportunities that will be linked to it." What they will receive includes basic money to help them start their lives, with returnees over the age of 18 receiving $188, those under 18 receiving $113, and each person receiving basic food worth 45,000 Rwf.