Rwanda Repatriates Citizens Trafficked to Asia

Ten Rwandans who were lured to Southeast Asia for work only to find themselves in dire conditions have been repatriated. The government stepped in after Rwandans trapped in Myanmar and Laos alerted a top influencer.

The authorities in Rwanda intervened after several of its citizens who were stranded in Southeast Asia reached out to one of the country’s social media influencers for help. The Rwandans said they were trapped in Myanmar and Laos after traveling there to work.

The influencer, Richard Kwizera, tagged the government on his platforms. Ten of the Rwandans have since been repatriated.

“There are dozens of Rwandan nationals trafficked to Southeast Asian countries, especially Myanmar and Laos who are appealing to the Rwandan government to help facilitate their return home,” Kwizera told DW.

They were victims of job scams, he said.

By Alex Ngarambe