The Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) has renewed its call for Rwandans still trapped within the ranks of the FDLR to lay down their weapons and return home voluntarily, joining hands with fellow citizens to build the nation.

The message is clearly resonating. Between 28 October and 12 December 2025, an impressive 221 individuals severed ties with the FDLR—an armed group that continues to threaten the security of Rwanda and the wider region—and chose the path of peace.

Among the returnees are 94 former fighters, 16 civilians associated with the armed group, and 111 family members. A number of them arrived today, 12 December 2025, and were immediately received at Mutobo Demobilisation Centre, where they have begun their journey back to civilian life.

At Mutobo, the welcome is far more than symbolic. Returnees receive essential items—clothing, bedding, and hygiene supplies—and are given time and space to regain their strength after years of hardship in the jungles of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The centre also provides recreational activities to help them recover physically and emotionally from the harsh conditions they endured.

Medical screening and treatment form a crucial part of the process, alongside psychological support designed to counter the fear instilled by FDLR leaders, who routinely mislead members by claiming that returnees are killed upon reaching Rwanda. Many express relief at discovering the truth: Rwanda receives them with dignity, not hostility.

This new wave of returnees follows a significant milestone on 30 October 2025, when the RDRC formally discharged 143 former FDLR members back into civilian life. After completing months of vocational training at Mutobo TVET School, a further 135 graduates were equipped with the tools they need to secure employment and support their families.

A striking detail shared by recent returnees is that none come from areas directly controlled by the Congolese national army (FARDC). This aligns with long-standing testimonies—such as that of Major Makuza Anastase—indicating continued collaboration between FARDC elements and FDLR fighters, enabling their survival and operations.

As more former FDLR members reveal the reality of life inside the group, one message grows ever clearer: Rwanda’s doors remain open, and the country stands ready to help every returnee rebuild their life. The RDRC’s appeal is unwavering—better to choose peace today than remain lost in the shadows of the DRC’s forests.

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