The UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) repatriated 34 Rwandans this week, including 15 former fighters from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), as part of ongoing efforts to stabilize the conflict-ridden eastern region. This marks the latest phase of a disarmament program that has returned 60 individuals to Rwanda since late 2025, with nearly 300 repatriated since last year.
Cross-Border Cooperation Intensifies
The group, which included 19 family members, crossed the Goma–Rubavu border on January 27, 2026, where Rwandan authorities facilitated their reintegration. MONUSCO attributes the rising number of voluntary surrenders to heightened military pressure following M23 rebels' capture of Goma in 2025, which disrupted longstanding militant networks.
Regional Security Implications
Rwanda continues to classify the FDLR – active in North Kivu for decades – as a terrorist organization linked to the 1994 genocide. The repatriations align with a Washington-brokered June 2025 peace agreement between DR Congo and Rwanda, which prioritizes neutralizing armed groups threatening cross-border security.
While MONUSCO reports progress, analysts caution that an estimated 1,200 FDLR members remain operational in eastern Congo. The mission has pledged to expand community engagement programs to accelerate disarmament ahead of planned 2027 peacekeeping force reductions.
