The DRC military has rejected claims regarding the handover of 20 alleged FDLR fighters to Rwanda, stating the incident was staged. Accusations against Rwanda include manipulation and war crimes, as conflict in eastern DRC raises fears of regional escalation.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military has asserted that the handover of 20 purported fighters associated with the 1994 Rwandan genocide was fabricated. This statement follows claims from the Rwanda-affiliated M23 armed group, which had stated it captured members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) militia. The M23 group released a video of the alleged handover at a border checkpoint to Rwanda.
The Congolese military described the incident as a poorly staged act aimed at undermining their forces and furthering Rwanda’s justification for intervening in Congolese territory. A statement from military leaders contended, “This is a faked incident in poor taste orchestrated with the sole aim of discrediting our army,” while accusing Rwanda of manipulation and deceit in their narrative about the FDLR’s activities.
In a broader context, the conflict in eastern DRC has intensified significantly, with increasing tensions that threaten to engulf the region in a larger war involving neighboring countries, including Rwanda and Uganda. The Congolese high command also alleged the Rwandan military had engaged in serious violations, including the extrajudicial execution of wounded soldiers, which they claimed constitutes a war crime and a violation of humanitarian laws.
In summary, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s military denies the legitimacy of the handover of 20 fighters to Rwanda, labeling it a staged event designed to discredit their forces and justify Rwandan intervention. The ongoing conflict poses a risk of broader regional instability, with serious accusations against Rwanda for human rights violations complicating the situation further.
Original Source: jordantimes.com
