Rwanda, DR Congo, and UNHCR Agree to Fast-Track Voluntary Refugee Returns in Tripartite Talks Held in Ethiopia
KEYIR NEWS - In a significant diplomatic development for the Great Lakes region, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have agreed to accelerate the voluntary repatriation of refugees, following high-level tripartite talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
A joint communiqué was signed on Thursday by Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani, Rwandan Ambassador Charles Karamba, and UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations Raouf Mazou.
The signing marked the conclusion of a two-day ministerial meeting held from 22–23 July, building upon momentum from recent peace efforts in the region.
At the heart of the discussions was the endorsement of the 2025–2026 Tripartite Technical Working Group Road Map on Voluntary Repatriation and Reintegration, a framework that sets out clear responsibilities, milestones, and timelines for the return and reintegration of refugees.
The meetings follow two recent diplomatic breakthroughs: the Washington peace agreement signed on 27 June between Congo and Rwanda, and the Doha Declaration of 19 July between Congo and the M23 rebel group.
The M23, which has seized control of key territories in eastern Congo—including the strategic cities of Goma and Bukavu—remains central to the region’s security dilemma.
As part of the new roadmap, the three parties committed to accelerating the voluntary return of over 600 Rwandan refugees currently in Goma.
They are also committed for engaging communities to ensure informed consent and peaceful reintegration, reactivating return operations in line with the July 2025 Doha Declaration, and designing inclusive reintegration strategies to support sustainable recovery in post-conflict zones.
The joint communiqué underscored that voluntary, safe, and dignified returns are vital not only for the refugees themselves but also for broader peacebuilding and regional stability.
The delegates also stressed the importance of addressing the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs), whose plight remains critical across the conflict-affected provinces.
“Sustainable refugee returns are not just a humanitarian necessity; they are foundational to lasting peace in the DRC and the wider Great Lakes region,” the statement noted.
The role of the UNHCR as a neutral and impartial humanitarian actor was reaffirmed. The agency is tasked with ensuring international protection, coordinating logistics, and securing long-term solutions for displaced populations.
The tripartite mechanism will now shift into its implementation phase, with regular technical meetings scheduled to monitor progress.
A follow-up ministerial meeting is planned for early 2026 to evaluate achievements, address emerging challenges, and recalibrate strategic objectives.
This diplomatic breakthrough adds cautious optimism to efforts aimed at resolving one of Africa’s longest-running displacement crises.
As the stakeholders continue dialogue and coordination, the international community watches closely, hopeful that these agreements will pave the way for peace, healing, and homecoming.