DR Congo Military Denies Allegations of Hutu Rebels Handover to Rwanda

The DRC army has denied the capture of twenty alleged FDLR fighters, calling a video of their handover to Rwanda fake. This incident follows the M23 movement’s claims about the FDLR, raising concerns over Rwandan military motives and operations in DRC. Additionally, accusations of war crimes by the Rwandan army highlight the severity of the ongoing conflict in the region.

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s army denied claims on Sunday that twenty fighters linked to the Rwandan genocide were captured in its territory, labeling a handover video to Rwanda as “faked.” This announcement followed the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group’s assertion that they had apprehended members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which includes individuals who participated in the 1994 genocide against Tutsis in Rwanda.

Rwanda has long cited the alleged presence of the FDLR in eastern DRC to justify its support for the M23 group. Recently, the M23 has made significant territorial gains in DRC’s eastern regions, including the important provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu. A video released by the M23 purportedly showed their forces handing over the alleged FDLR fighters to Rwandan authorities at a border post.

In response, Congolese military leaders condemned the incident as a staged affair aimed solely at discrediting their forces. They explained that this incident is part of a broader Rwandan strategy to legitimize their involvement in eastern DRC. Furthermore, Congolese officials accused the Rwandan military of committing serious violations, including summary executions of wounded soldiers, which constitute war crimes.

The ongoing conflict in eastern DRC raises concerns about its potential to escalate into a regional war, involving neighboring countries such as Rwanda and Uganda. As tensions increase, international observers are cautiously monitoring the situation.

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s army has publicly rejected claims regarding the capture of FDLR fighters, asserting that the handover to Rwanda was fabricated. This incident sheds light on Rwandan involvement in eastern DRC, while raising serious allegations of human rights violations by the Rwandan military. The broader implications of this conflict are significant, with the potential for escalation into regional hostilities. Such developments necessitate vigilant observation and response from the international community.

Original Source: jordantimes.com