No more refugee status for Rwandese abroad
About 100 000 Rwandese who fled the country have lost their refugee status and must return home, regularise their stay in their host countries, or risk living as stateless individuals.
This follows the coming into effect of the cessation clause on June 30, meaning none of these Rwandans can enjoy international protection and assistance as refugees—because the circumstances under which they became refugees have ceased to exist.
Malawi hosts about 18 000 refugees mainly from the Great Lakes region, Sudan and Somalia.
The Malawi Government in June said it would repatriate the remaining Rwandese refugees despite most of them showing no interest in returning home.
Following the cessation clause, the Rwandese refugees can no longer claim assistance from the global refugee body, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
The development is expected to boost Rwanda’s global profile by shaking off the negative image that the country acquired in the wake of the 1994 genocide.
The UNHCR estimates that nearly 100 000 Rwandan refugees remain scattered in neighbouring countries, particularly the DRC. With the coming into force of the cessation clause, the UNHCR is officially closing the book on the Rwandan refugee situation.
Speaking at a press conference recently, Rwandan Minister of Refugee Affairs, Seraphine Mukantabana said: “Rwanda is doing everything we possibly can to facilitate this. Refugees can also choose if they have economic and personal ties in the countries of host, to remain there and become naturalised,” she said.
