U Rwanda rwakiriye impunzi n’abimukira 177 bavuye muri Libya

Minisiteri Ishinzwe Ibikorwa by’Ubutabazi (MINEMA) recently received a group of 177 refugees seeking asylum, arriving from Libya. The new arrivals, accepted on May 5, 2026, include 68 Sudanese, 66 Eritreans, 2 Somalis, 15 Ethiopians, and 26 South Sudanese. These individuals join over 3,000 others who have been welcomed since the program began in November 2019. Through collaboration with the Rwandan government, the Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), they were immediately transferred to the Gashora Emergency Transit Centre in Bugesera District for temporary accommodation.

MINEMA emphasized Rwanda’s commitment to providing refuge for those fleeing conflict, persecution, and violence, stating: “Rwanda continues to be determined to welcome and protect people in need of asylum.” The ministry also noted that, under the ETM program, 2,681 refugees and asylum seekers previously in Libya have received durable solutions, resettling permanently in other countries. Canada has accepted the largest number, with 927 individuals, followed by France (332), the United States (325), Sweden (297), Finland (271), Norway (229), Germany (132), the Netherlands (94), and Belgium (72).

The Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM) was established through a partnership between the Government of Rwanda, the African Union (AU), and UNHCR. Since its inception, Rwanda has welcomed over 3,000 refugees and asylum seekers through this initiative.