On Saturday, May 17, Rwanda received over 360 people who had been held hostage by the FDLR rebel group in the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
These individuals entered Rwanda from Goma and were welcomed in Rubavu District on Saturday.
Most of those received are women, along with very young children who were born in the Congolese forests.
They were freed following fighting in January this year, during which the M23 rebel group captured several areas including the city of Goma, after defeating a coalition of the DRC government forces that included the FDLR.
After their arrival in Rwanda, they are expected to be transferred to the Mutobo Reintegration Center in Musanze District, where they will be assisted in transitioning back to normal life before being reunited with their families.
The Mayor of Rubavu District, Mulindwa Prosper, told the media that these are among more than 2,000 people expected to be received over the coming days.
