The FARDC has refuted Rwanda’s claims regarding the capture of FDLR Commander Gakwerere and other fighters, labeling the operation a media stunt intended to justify Rwanda’s aggression in the DRC. FARDC highlighted inconsistencies in the Rwandan narrative, alleging that fabricated evidence aims to support Rwanda’s military ambitions in eastern Congo amidst rising tensions between the two nations.
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) have officially dismissed Rwanda’s assertions regarding the apprehension and deportation of FDLR Commander Ezéchiel Gakwerere and 14 other purported FDLR combatants, labeling it a deliberate “staged operation” orchestrated to rationalize Kigali’s continuing aggression against the DRC. FARDC’s response follows announcements from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and M23 rebels claiming the capture of Gakwerere, also known as Sibo Stany or Julius Mokoko, along with other alleged FDLR members reportedly dressed in new FARDC uniforms.
According to the RDF, the captured individuals were handed over to Rwandan officials at the Grande Barrière border post in Rubavu. However, FARDC spokesperson General-Major Ekenge Bomusa Efomi Sylvain refuted the operation, asserting that it was gratuitously flawed and part of a broader strategy by Rwanda to legitimize its territorial incursions into the DRC. He stated that this was a poor attempt to undermine the image of the DRC’s military and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces.
FARDC pointed out discrepancies within the list of supposedly captured fighters, notably including Patrick Ishimwe, who had already been reported in Rwandan media prior to the alleged repatriation. “The fabrication is so poorly constructed that among the alleged FDLR members captured in the DRC is Patrick Ishimwe, who was already presented in Kigali’s Rwandan media on January 22, 2025,” stated FARDC. The Congolese military further accused Rwandan authorities of deception, claiming that they had allegedly taken ex-FDLR prisoners from Gitarama Central Prison, adorned them in newly acquired FARDC uniforms, and fraudulently labeled them as FDLR combatants captured in Goma.
The RDF maintains that the captured individuals, including Gakwerere, were collaborating with FARDC and other mercenaries, alleging that some FDLR elements have fled to various locations, while others remain hidden within M23-controlled zones. The DRC military contends that such claims form part of a larger geopolitical framework by Rwanda to sustain its military interference in eastern Congo.
FARDC claims to have credible intelligence linking the notorious FDLR General Gakwerere with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, asserting that Gakwerere has orchestrated atrocities against Congolese citizens under Kagame’s orders. The DRC military categorically denied any affiliations with the FDLR, describing allegations as excuses for Rwanda to extend its military presence and support M23 operations.
Additionally, the FARDC has accused the Rwandan army of engaging in war crimes, specifically referencing the execution of sick and wounded Congolese soldiers in Goma. They emphasized, “This act constitutes a war crime and a crime against humanity, which will not go unpunished.” These latest developments coincide with heightened tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda amid ongoing instability in North Kivu due to the M23 rebellion. While Rwanda claims to target genocidal militia such as FDLR, Kinshasa contends that the M23 insurgency serves as a proxy for Rwanda’s territorial objectives in eastern DRC.
The DRC military vehemently denies allegations of collaborating with FDLR rebels, accusing Rwanda of fabricating claims to rationalize its military actions in Congo. FARDC highlights inconsistencies in Rwanda’s story about the capture of fighters and points to connections between Gakwerere and Rwandan leadership. As tensions rise, the DRC asserts that Rwanda’s involvement is driven by territorial ambitions rather than genuine intentions to combat militia forces. The situation remains precarious as both nations position themselves amidst a backdrop of ongoing conflict and accusations, significantly impacting the stability of the region.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
