The DRC army has denied that 20 alleged FDLR fighters were captured, calling the handover to Rwanda a staged event. Tensions have escalated as the M23, supported by Rwanda, has taken control of significant territories in eastern DRC. The DRC has accused Rwanda of manipulation and war crimes, leading to fears of a larger regional conflict.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s army has formally denied claims that 20 alleged fighters from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) were captured on its territory, labeling a video of their purported handover to Rwanda as fabricated. This assertion follows a statement from the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group, which claimed responsibility for capturing these fighters, who are linked to the Rwandan genocide of 1994.
The M23 group’s recent activities have included taking control of significant areas in eastern DRC, such as the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu, with Rwanda asserting that the FDLR’s presence justifies its support for the M23. Coupled with this, the DRC army accused the Rwandan government of orchestrating a deceptive scenario intended to discredit the Congolese military. They further alleged that “the Rwandan authorities, who specialize in the art of lies and manipulation,” did not capture new fighters but instead reused old detainees dressed in fresh military uniforms to fabricate the incident.
Additionally, the DRC high command has made serious allegations against the Rwandan army, accusing it of engaging in summary executions of injured and ill soldiers at a field hospital near Goma. Such actions are described as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity. With tensions rising, concerns about the possibility of a broader regional conflict involving Rwanda, Uganda, and other nations continue to escalate.
In summary, the DRC army has publicly refuted claims regarding the handover of alleged FDLR fighters, asserting that the incident was a staged event meant to undermine its reputation. Allegations of human rights abuses by the Rwandan army further complicate an already tense situation in eastern DRC, raising fears of an expanding conflict involving multiple nations in the region.
Original Source: jordantimes.com
