Rwanda Police Confirms Deportation of 64 Foreigners
Rwanda Police has announced that 64 foreigners were deported back to their home countries after being linked to cases of violence. The announcement came after rising concerns on social media about foreigners involved in street fights and attacks on citizens.
Police also revealed that in the last 12 months, 240 foreign nationals were handed over to justice authorities for crimes including assault and theft.
Why the Deportation Happened
Concerns were first raised when local journalists, including Kakooza Nkuliza Charles (KNC) and Mutabaruka Angelbert, questioned why some foreigners in Rwanda appeared to be above the law.
KNC said:
“Do foreigners have the right to commit violence in Rwanda? I believe the law applies equally to everyone in the country.”
Reports pointed to groups from Gabon, Sudan, and Chad, accused of harassing motorbike taxi drivers, attacking people, and stealing in public places.
Police Response to the Concerns
In response, the Rwanda Police confirmed through their official X (formerly Twitter) account that the matter had been under investigation by several institutions, including:
- Rwanda Police
- Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB)
- The Prosecution Authority
- The Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration
Police said:
“In the past 12 months, 240 suspects were taken to justice for different crimes including assault and theft, while 64 were deported to their countries of origin.”
They also reminded the public that no one is above the law in Rwanda, and that both locals and foreigners must face justice without discrimination.
Cooperation with Embassies
The Rwanda Police added that they are working closely with foreign embassies in Kigali. The goal is to ensure foreign nationals respect Rwanda’s laws and avoid violent behavior.
This cooperation is meant to strengthen community safety and prevent future incidents.
Past Incidents Sparked Public Debate
This is not the first time the issue of violence involving foreigners has raised debate in Rwanda. In December 2024, Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe also called for calm after heated discussions online about foreigners, especially South Sudanese youth.
He reminded young people to avoid hate speech and violence, saying:
“Conflicts among youth have no place in Rwandan society. Words targeting specific groups, especially South Sudanese, go against our national values.”
Ensuring Public Safety
The deportation of these 64 foreigners sends a strong message that Rwanda will not tolerate violence from anyone, whether local or foreign. Authorities have assured citizens that security remains a priority and that laws will be applied equally.
