On Thursday, November 16, the Rwandan government welcomed the 15th group of asylum seekers from Libya, underscoring its unwavering commitment to providing refuge for those in need. The 169 individuals arrived at Kigali International Airport through an emergency transit mechanism established by the Rwandan government in collaboration with the United Nations refugee agency.
Originating from Eritrea, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan, the latest arrivals join a growing number of asylum seekers who have found sanctuary in Rwanda. The Ministry in charge of Emergency Management reiterated the government’s dedication to extending refuge and assistance to those seeking shelter.
The emergency transit mechanism, instituted in 2019, was a response to the dire situation faced by hundreds of asylum seekers confined in Libyan detention centers, where they were subjected to appalling conditions and exploitation, even being sold as slaves. In Rwanda, asylum claims are carefully examined, and individuals have the opportunity to be resettled in third countries willing to accept them.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), since the inception of the transit mechanism, over 1,200 individuals have been successfully resettled in third countries. This initiative is part of Rwanda’s broader efforts in refugee resettlement, with more than 30,000 refugees having found new homes since 2010. In 2023 alone, at least 6,600 individuals were resettled, as reported by the IOM earlier this month.
As of the end of September, the United Nations estimates that Rwanda is currently home to more than 135,000 refugees, primarily hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. Over 90 percent of these refugees reside in designated camps, highlighting the continued challenges and the need for ongoing support and humanitarian efforts in the region.
