On the day after his arrival in Goma, North Kivu, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of MONUSCO, Mr. James Swan, visited the Mubambiro transit camp on the morning of Saturday, 25 April. The site is located about 20 kilometres from Goma, near the town of Sake.
According to Ms. Rebecca Lusolo, camp coordinator and officer with MONUSCO’s Disarmament, Demobilization, Repatriation, Reintegration and Resettlement section (DDR/RR), the camp currently hosts 70 former combatants of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), who are awaiting repatriation to Rwanda.
The FDLR issue, a priority for MONUSCO
On this occasion, the Head of MONUSCO, Mr. James Swan, stressed that the FDLR issue remains a priority for MONUSCO and the international community. He encouraged the Congolese authorities to continue their efforts to find lasting solutions to this issue, which has often been a source of recurring tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali.
During his visit, Mr. Swan noted that the Mubambiro camp hosts not only former combatants, but also their families, including women and children, who are supported through the DDR/RR programme.
“Today, I visited the Mubambiro transit camp, where former combatants are received and supported, at the request of the Congolese Government and as part of ongoing efforts to support disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, reintegration and resettlement. This includes not only former combatants, but also their families, including women and children,” the Head of MONUSCO said.
According to him, the visit highlights a fundamental reality: lasting peace in eastern DRC cannot be achieved through military means alone. It also requires credible pathways for former combatants to lay down their weapons, return to civilian life and reintegrate into their communities in dignity and security.
Sustained efforts despite a difficult context
In line with its mandate, MONUSCO continues to support disarmament, demobilization, repatriation and reintegration efforts, in close coordination with Congolese authorities and relevant partners.
“Since January 2025, operations carried out in the Petit Nord have enabled the repatriation of hundreds of former combatants and their dependants. These results were achieved despite a particularly volatile security and political environment, as well as significant access constraints. These advances demonstrate MONUSCO’s determination to promote concrete measures aimed at creating conditions conducive to lasting stability,” he said.
These efforts also rely on close coordination with Congolese partners and other actors, particularly regarding operational arrangements, access to sites and the security of movements of disarmed persons.
Powerful testimonies from beneficiaries
Some beneficiaries of the programme expressed their gratitude to MONUSCO while sharing their experiences.
A former FDLR combatant, a former first sergeant-major from Katoy, welcomed the assistance received.
“I thank MONUSCO for the welcome we received in this camp. I was sick, as were my children, but we received medical care and today we are in good health. I hope that our brothers who are still in the bush can be informed and benefit from the same support. Some want to come, but do not have the means. I encourage MONUSCO to continue its efforts to help them leave the bush.”
I hope that our brothers who are still in the bush can be informed and benefit from the same support. Some want to come, but do not have the means. I encourage MONUSCO to continue its efforts to help them leave the bush.
A woman from Kamatembe spoke about the suffering she endured.
“I am happy to know that we will soon return to Rwanda. Life in the bush was very difficult for us, marked by violence and suffering. I look forward to seeing my parents, brothers and sisters again, from whom I have been separated for a long time. I left my country as a child, and today I am returning with my own children,” she said.
Another former combatant, from Pinga, described the extremely precarious living conditions within armed groups.
“After the death of my father, who was a colonel, I joined the bush. Life there is extremely difficult and marked by great suffering. I thank MONUSCO for the assistance received, including clothing and food. I hope this support will continue even after our return to Rwanda, because we have nothing. Follow-up on our reintegration would also be important, because we do not know what awaits us in Rwanda.”
Renewed commitment to peace and stability
Mr. James Swan commended the efforts of the partners involved in this process and encouraged them to continue their engagement in support of peace and the well-being of former combatants and their families.
He reaffirmed MONUSCO’s readiness to continue supporting these initiatives within the framework of its mandate, in order to offer those leaving armed groups a more stable and positive future.
After his visit to Mubambiro, the Head of MONUSCO and his delegation proceeded to the Level Two Hospital, located at MONUSCO’s RVA base, where they continued their assessment of the Mission’s operational and humanitarian arrangements.
Aline Kataliko
