DRC Army Denounces Rwanda’s Claims of FDLR Arrest as a Media Stunt

FARDC has rejected Rwanda’s claims regarding the arrest of FDLR Commander Ezéchiel Gakwerere, labeling the incident a staged operation meant to justify Rwanda’s aggression. The Congolese military highlighted inconsistencies in the alleged captured fighters’ identities and accused Rwandan forces of manipulative practices. Escalating tensions continue as both sides vie to assert their narrative amidst the M23 insurgency in eastern DRC.

The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) have firmly dismissed the claims made by Rwanda regarding the capture and deportation of FDLR Commander Ezéchiel Gakwerere and 14 associated fighters, labeling the incident as a contrived operation intended to validate Rwanda’s aggressive actions against the DRC. This assertion follows the announcement from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and M23 rebels that they have arrested Gakwerere, also referred to as Sibo Stany or Julius Mokoko, along with other alleged FDLR members purportedly wearing new FARDC uniforms.

RDF reported that this group was handed over to Rwandan officials at the Grande Barrière border checkpoint in Rubavu. FARDC spokesperson General-Major Ekenge Bomusa Efomi Sylvain articulated the army’s position, stating, “This action is a poorly executed fabrication aimed at discrediting our army and the SADC forces,” and accusing Rwanda of using these events to justify its encroachment into Congolese territory.

The FARDC further questioned the veracity of the repatriation, highlighting discrepancies concerning the alleged fighters’ identities. They noted, for example, that Patrick Ishimwe, who was featured in Rwandan media as early as January 22, 2025, reappeared on the list of supposedly captured fighters under a specific serial number.

Additionally, FARDC officials alleged that Rwandan authorities have historically engaged in deceptive practices, asserting that they had taken former FDLR prisoners from Gitarama Central Prison, outfitted them with newly acquired FARDC uniforms, and falsely presented them as fighters captured in Goma. In response, RDF contended that these fighters had colluded with FARDC, Wazalendo, and SAMIDRC mercenaries.

Claims regarding FDLR fighters fleeing to various regions have emerged, with Rwandan authorities suggesting that some elements have sought refuge in Walikale, Lubero, and Mwenga, while others are believed to still be hiding within M23-occupied territories. The DRC military suggested that these allegations serve Rwanda’s broader geopolitical interests, intended to rationalize its military involvement in eastern Congo.

FARDC accused Gakwerere of orchestrating heinous acts against Congolese civilians on the orders of Rwandan President Paul Kagame. They vehemently denied any connections between the Congolese army and FDLR rebels, arguing that such claims are merely a pretext for Rwanda to sustain its military presence and support M23 activities.

In addition to rejecting the FDLR associations, FARDC has implicated the Rwandan army in committing war crimes, notably highlighting the summary execution of ill and injured Congolese soldiers at Katindo Military Hospital in Goma as a blatant violation of international law. “This act constitutes a war crime and a crime against humanity, which will not go unpunished.”

The situation has become increasingly tense between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, as the ongoing M23 insurgency continues to create instability in North Kivu. While Rwanda maintains that it is targeting genocidal militia factions like the FDLR, Kinshasa contends that the M23 rebellion exemplifies Rwanda’s expansionist ambitions within eastern DRC.

The recent events surrounding the alleged arrest of FDLR Commander Ezéchiel Gakwerere have escalated tensions between the DRC and Rwanda. FARDC’s dismissal of the claims as a media stunt, alongside accusations of Rwandan war crimes, reflect deep-seated mistrust. This ongoing conflict illustrates the complexities of regional power dynamics and the implications for stability in eastern Congo.

Original Source: chimpreports.com