DR Congo Rejects Claims of Handover of Hutu Rebels as Fabricated
The DRC army has denied claims of capturing 20 FDLR fighters linked to the Rwandan genocide, describing the alleged handover video to Rwanda as staged. The M23 militia claimed the capture, which the Congolese military believes serves Rwandan interests. Escalating conflict in the region raises concerns over a potential broader war and ongoing humanitarian issues.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s armed forces refuted claims on Sunday that they had apprehended 20 individuals tied to the Rwandan genocide, describing a video of their transfer to Rwanda as fabricated. This assertion followed the announcement from the M23 group, based in eastern DRC, which claimed to have captured members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia created by Hutus involved in the 1994 genocide against Tutsis.
The M23 group, which has recently seized significant territories in eastern DRC, including the crucial cities of Goma and Bukavu, released footage of the alleged handover at a border crossing. In response, Congolese military leaders labeled this event as a cunningly staged operation intended to tarnish the army’s reputation.
The commanders of the Congolese army asserted, “This is a faked incident in poor taste orchestrated with the sole aim of discrediting our army,” suggesting that it aligns with Rwanda’s broader strategy to justify territorial incursions. They alleged that Rwandan authorities manipulated the situation by re-dressing former FDLR detainees in military uniforms to present them as newly captured fighters.
Furthermore, the DRC’s military command accused the Rwandan military of executing injured and sick soldiers in a manner that constitutes war crimes. The underlying conflict in eastern DRC is escalating, raising alarms that it may evolve into a more extensive regional confrontation involving nations such as Rwanda and Uganda.
Historically, the DRC government has accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels, a notion Rwanda vehemently denies. Conversely, Rwanda has accused Kinshasa of supporting the FDLR, which the DRC government firmly contests. With military engagements intensifying, humanitarian concerns and displacements are becoming increasingly dire.
In conclusion, the DRC military’s denial of the alleged capture of FDLR fighters and their accusation against Rwanda for staging the event highlights the escalating tension in the region. The continuation of conflict raises fears of a larger, more complex war that could involve multiple neighboring nations. The accusations exchanged between Rwanda and the DRC intensify the fragile stability in eastern DRC, which is already beset by significant humanitarian crises.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
