Africa-Press – Rwanda. Following the arrival of 169 asylum seekers from Libya, the Rwandan government has said it remains committed to hosting people in need of refuge.
The 15th group of asylum seekers from Libya landed at Kigali International Airport on Thursday, November 16, through an emergency transit mechanism set up by the Rwandan government and the United Nations refugee agency.
The latest arrivals originate from Eritrea, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan.
“Rwanda remains committed to offering refuge and assistance to people in need,” the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management said.
Tonight, in partnership with @Refugees, Rwanda welcomed 169 asylum seekers from Libya originating from Eritrea, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia & South Sudan. They safely landed at Kigali International Airport.
Rwanda remains committed to offering refuge & assistance to people in need. pic.twitter.com/0uUJTvCyHH— Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (@RwandaEmergency) November 16, 2023
The transit mechanism was established in 2019, after Rwanda offered to host hundreds of asylum seekers who were languishing in Libyan detention centres and being sold as slaves.
While in Rwanda, their asylum claims are examined and they can get resettled in third countries that accept them.
Since the transit mechanism began, more than 1,200 of them have been resettled in third countries, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
They are part of more than 30,000 refugees who have been resettled from Rwanda since 2010.
At least 6,600 were resettled in 2023 alone, the IOM said earlier in November.
By the end of September, Rwanda was home to more than 135,000 refugees, mostly from DR Congo and Burundi, according to the UN.
Over 90 percent of them live in camps.
The new group is composed by people originating from Eritrea, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan. They will be accommodated in Gashora Transit Centre in Bugesera District.
For More News And Analysis About Rwanda Follow Africa-Press
