Rwanda has reintegrated 143 former combatants of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) after completing a three-month rehabilitation and civic training program at the Mutobo Demobilisation Centre in Musanze District.
The ceremony, held on October 30, 2025, marked the 75th official demobilization since the program began in 2001. Government officials, security representatives, and international partners attended the event, which included exhibitions showcasing agricultural and livestock projects run by former combatants who have successfully rebuilt their lives after returning home.
According to the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), more than 12,000 former fighters have now completed the program over the past two decades as part of national efforts to enhance peace and stability in the region.
This year’s intake underwent intensive training that covered civic education, mental health support, and practical skills to support earning a sustainable income. Graduates also received national identity cards and certificates to mark their readiness to fully rejoin Rwandan society.
As part of their rehabilitation, the group participated in community service activities, including helping build a home for a vulnerable resident in Musanze District — a symbolic act demonstrating renewed commitment to community values.
The reintegration progress comes alongside a wider return of Rwandan nationals from the Democratic Republic of Congo. A total of 326 individuals from 98 families arrived through Rubavu District the same week, bringing the number of returnees this year to 4,945. Many cited ongoing insecurity in eastern DRC as a key reason for returning.
RDRC officials reiterated that returns are voluntary and encouraged other combatants still operating in the DRC to surrender peacefully, saying Rwanda offers dignity, safety, and pathways to economic transformation.
