Many Rwandans who fled the genocide in 1994 for the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) province of North Kivu have become integrated into local communities. However, the launch of a joint offensive by the DRC and Rwanda against the FDLR (Forces Démocratiques pour la Libération du Rwanda) militias has prompted some refugees to consider returning home.
Mbounge Nyirakundu, a mother of two, who was among dozens at a transit camp in Goma town, told IRIN she was ready to go back to Rwanda.
"After fleeing the genocide I went to Tongo [in the territory of Rutshuru] where I have been staying for the last 15 years. I got married to a Congolese man after some time and life was very good. We did not have any problems with the local Congolese.
"However, things changed two years ago when my husband, who was working with FARDC [the national army] was killed by some militia. I was left alone with a child.
"I was forced to start working for other people to get some money. It was during this time that I met another Congolese man and had my second baby but he has not been able to provide for us.
"Now, I am not able to work in the fields due to insecurity and that is the main reason why I want to return home. When the [army] operation started, people got scared.
"When I heard that people were returning [to Rwanda], I saw no need to stay on. Not having a husband also makes me feel that I cannot go on with my life here.
"Fortunately I have been told that my uncle is still living in Gisenyi [a Rwandan town bordering Goma]. At least there is someone to return to and I am not scared even after so many years away.
"When I return, I hope to get a job doing anything that the other women there [in Rwanda] are doing to continue with my life."
aw/eo/mw
Mbounge Nyirakundu, a mother of two, who was among dozens at a transit camp in Goma town, told IRIN she was ready to go back to Rwanda.
"After fleeing the genocide I went to Tongo [in the territory of Rutshuru] where I have been staying for the last 15 years. I got married to a Congolese man after some time and life was very good. We did not have any problems with the local Congolese.
"However, things changed two years ago when my husband, who was working with FARDC [the national army] was killed by some militia. I was left alone with a child.
"I was forced to start working for other people to get some money. It was during this time that I met another Congolese man and had my second baby but he has not been able to provide for us.
"Now, I am not able to work in the fields due to insecurity and that is the main reason why I want to return home. When the [army] operation started, people got scared.
"When I heard that people were returning [to Rwanda], I saw no need to stay on. Not having a husband also makes me feel that I cannot go on with my life here.
"Fortunately I have been told that my uncle is still living in Gisenyi [a Rwandan town bordering Goma]. At least there is someone to return to and I am not scared even after so many years away.
"When I return, I hope to get a job doing anything that the other women there [in Rwanda] are doing to continue with my life."
aw/eo/mw
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
Share this article
