Statement following High-Level Meeting between the DR Congo, Rwanda and UNHCR
Statement following High-Level Meeting between the DR Congo, Rwanda and UNHCR
GENEVA – Representatives of the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Rwanda and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, met today for a High-Level Meeting on Voluntary Repatriation of Congolese and Rwandan Refugees hosted in the two countries.
The delegation of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo was led by H.E. Christophe Lutundula Apala Pen'Apala, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Francophonie, while the delegation of the Government of the Republic of Rwandan was led by H.E. Marie Solange Kayisire, Minister in Charge of Emergency Management. The UNHCR delegation was led by Filippo Grandi, High Commissioner for Refugees. Staff from the Office of the Special Envoy for the Secretary General for the Great Lakes, in its strategic role on Peace Consolidation, Conflict Prevention and Conflict Resolution in the Great Lakes Region, also participated.
UNHCR facilitated this meeting at the request of the two governments. As a signatory to the 2010 Tripartite Agreement on Voluntary Repatriation, UNHCR’s role is to support solutions for refugees and we welcome discussions between the two governments in this vein.
In the meeting, both governments reaffirmed their willingness to create conditions that are conducive to sustainable return and reintegration for their citizens who have taken refuge in either State. UNHCR emphasized the right of refugees to return voluntarily, and in safety and dignity. The Parties also agreed to organize a technical tripartite meeting within the coming weeks.
The final Joint Communique and related documents are available here: