MONUSCO says it was neither present nor involved when Rwanda returned 39 people to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, contradicting claims surrounding the July 29 operation.
Rwandan authorities transferred 39 people to the Democratic Republic of the Congo on July 29, 2026, through the Grande Barrière border crossing between Gisenyi and Goma.
The individuals had previously been sent to Rwanda through the United Nations mission’s Disarmament, Demobilization, Repatriation, Reintegration and Resettlement programme, commonly known as DDRRR.
However, MONUSCO issued a statement the following day distancing itself from their return.
The UN mission confirmed that the 39 individuals had earlier been repatriated to Rwanda through its programme. It stressed, however, that it was not present during their transfer back to the DRC and had no involvement in the operation.
MONUSCO Defends Its Verification Process
MONUSCO said its DDRRR programme supports the voluntary disarmament and repatriation of foreign combatants operating in the DRC, as well as their dependants.
Before anyone is repatriated to Rwanda, the mission said it conducts a detailed, multi-stage verification process to determine eligibility.
The names of those considered eligible are then sent to the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission for further examination and final approval.
MONUSCO said it remains committed to protecting the independence, integrity and transparency of the process.
JUSTICE & CRIME
MONUSCO Distances Itself From Rwanda’s Transfer of 39 People to DRC
Jul 30, 2026
Jul 30, 2026
4 min read
Published
Updated:
MONUSCO says it was neither present nor involved when Rwanda returned 39 people to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, contradicting claims surrounding the July 29 operation.
Rwandan authorities transferred 39 people to the Democratic Republic of the Congo on July 29, 2026, through the Grande Barrière border crossing between Gisenyi and Goma.
The individuals had previously been sent to Rwanda through the United Nations mission’s Disarmament, Demobilization, Repatriation, Reintegration and Resettlement programme, commonly known as DDRRR.
However, MONUSCO issued a statement the following day distancing itself from their return.
The UN mission confirmed that the 39 individuals had earlier been repatriated to Rwanda through its programme. It stressed, however, that it was not present during their transfer back to the DRC and had no involvement in the operation.
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MONUSCO Defends Its Verification Process
MONUSCO said its DDRRR programme supports the voluntary disarmament and repatriation of foreign combatants operating in the DRC, as well as their dependants.
Before anyone is repatriated to Rwanda, the mission said it conducts a detailed, multi-stage verification process to determine eligibility.
The names of those considered eligible are then sent to the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission for further examination and final approval.
MONUSCO said it remains committed to protecting the independence, integrity and transparency of the process.
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Rwanda Gives a Different Account
Rwanda’s Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission said the 39 returnees were Congolese nationals who had falsely presented themselves as former FDLR combatants.
According to the commission, a verification process found that they did not qualify for Rwanda’s demobilisation and reintegration programme.
Rwandan statements said the transfer took place in the presence of the media and MONUSCO representatives. The UN mission has directly rejected any suggestion that it participated in the return operation.
Returnees Received in Goma
According to Congolese media reports, the 39 people had stayed at Rwanda’s Mutobo demobilisation centre before being returned to Goma, which is currently under AFC/M23 control.
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They were reportedly received by local Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 authorities after crossing the border.
Some of the returnees identified themselves as Congolese citizens from areas including Masisi and Rutshuru. They reportedly denied being genuine FDLR combatants.
FDLR Issue Remains Central to Regional Tensions
The incident comes at a time when the FDLR has agreed in principle to disarm, demobilize and enter cantonment under a protocol signed with the Congolese government as part of the Washington peace process.
Congolese officials, including government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya, argue that this development removes Rwanda's long-standing security justification for maintaining troops in eastern DRC. Kinshasa says that once the FDLR disarmament process moves forward, Rwanda is expected to fulfill its own commitments under the Washington Agreement, including the withdrawal of its forces from Congolese territory.
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