By Qaabata Boru & Roland Kalamo
On Tuesday, February 20th, 2018: A large movement of refugees – some report several thousand – departed on foot from the Kiziba refugee camp in Western Rwanda. Leaders declared that they were repatriating to the DRC in response to both recent and proposed reductions in aid provision. It may be one of the first examples of voluntary repatriation undertaken as a protest.
During a confrontation with Rwandan military, soldiers fired live bullets with intentions to force refugees back to the camp. At least 11 refugees died according to the report from UNHCR Rwanda, a protestor was wounded when a bullet struck his foot, and several other injuries were alleged during the mayhem.