Kigali, Rwanda – The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recently claimed to have captured and handed over 20 fighters from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) to Rwandan authorities. The FDLR, an armed militia founded by ethnic Hutus implicated in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, has long been cited by Rwanda as a significant security threat. The handover occurred at the Grande Barrière border post in Rubavu district, according to a press release from the Rwanda Defence Force.
However, the DRC’s military has dismissed this event as a fabrication. Major General Sylvain Ekenge, spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), labeled the handover a “faked” operation intended to discredit the Congolese army and justify Rwanda’s alleged invasion of DRC territory.
Rwanda’s government spokesperson, Yolande Makolo, has reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to peace and development in the region. In a recent interview, she emphasized that the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC cannot be resolved through military means alone, advocating for comprehensive political solutions to address the underlying issues.
The situation underscores the complex dynamics in the Great Lakes region, where historical grievances, armed militias, and accusations between neighboring countries continue to hinder peace efforts.
