KIGALI, July 22 (Xinhua) -- More than 500 Rwandan refugees were repatriated to Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Wednesday, authorities said.
About 400 returnees crossed into Rwanda through the common border in Rubavu District, Mayor Prosper Mulindwa told reporters.
The returnees were transported to the Nyarushishi Transit Center in western Rwanda's Rusizi District before being reintegrated into their communities.
Earlier on the same day, 108 Rwandan refugees were also repatriated from the DRC via the common land border in Rusizi District. Among them were 70 children, Rusizi District Mayor Phanuel Sindayiheba said.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is supporting the returnees' repatriation and reintegration efforts, helping them rebuild their lives and reunite with their families.
The repatriation was carried out under an agreement signed last year between Rwanda, the DRC and the UNHCR, in which they committed to respecting refugees' right to voluntary repatriation to their countries of origin. ■
