DRC Army Denounces Rwanda’s Claims on FDLR Commander Capture as Staged
The FARDC has vehemently denied Rwanda’s claims regarding the capture of FDLR Commander Ezéchiel Gakwerere and others, labeling it a staged operation to rationalize Rwanda’s aggression towards DRC. They cited inconsistencies in the reports and accused Rwanda of deception. Allegations of war crimes against Rwandan forces further complicate the already fraught relationship between the DRC and Rwanda amidst ongoing M23 insurgency unrest.
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) have categorically disputed Rwanda’s assertions regarding the capture and subsequent repatriation of FDLR Commander Ezéchiel Gakwerere, alongside 14 other purported FDLR combatants. FARDC describes the operation as contrived and an attempt to rationalize Rwanda’s military actions against the DRC. The discontent arises after the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) along with M23 rebels announced Gakwerere’s detention, claiming he was apprehended wearing new FARDC uniforms.
In their official statement, FARDC spokesperson General-Major Ekenge Bomusa Efomi Sylvain criticized the operation as a poorly executed ruse aimed at undermining the integrity of the Congolese army and Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces. According to FARDC, Rwanda’s actions align with a broader agenda to validate its transgressions within DRC territories.
FARDC further undermined the credibility of the repatriation by noting discrepancies in the list of allegedly captured fighters, highlighting the presence of Patrick Ishimwe. Ishimwe had already been presented in Rwandan media prior to the reported capture, raising questions about the authenticity of the entire operation. In a statement, FARDC emphasized the implausibility of the reported events, indicating that ”the fabrication is so poorly constructed”.
The Congolese military alleged that Rwandan authorities may have manipulated elements of deception by dressing former FDLR prisoners in new FARDC uniforms, only to present them as freshly captured fighters from Goma. In response, the RDF maintained that the captured individuals were collaborating with FARDC and other mercenary groups.
Compounding the tensions, the DRC military articulated that these claims are a tactic employed by Rwanda to justify its ongoing military involvement in the eastern DRC. FARDC perspective suggests that General Gakwerere has long operated under Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s directives, even implicated in the atrocities against Congolese civilians.
Additionally, FARDC has firmly denied any association with the FDLR rebels, labeling allegations as fabricated reasons for Rwanda to sustain military operations and support M23 insurgents. Moreover, the DRC military has accused Rwandan forces of committing war crimes, specifically citing the execution of incapacitated Congolese soldiers at a military hospital in Goma, which they deem a gross violation of humanitarian law.
These developments reflect mounting tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, pointing to the destabilizing impact of the M23 insurgency in North Kivu. While Rwanda defends its actions as efforts to combat genocidal militias, Kinshasa describes M23 as a proxy for Rwandan territorial aspirations in eastern DRC, escalating the conflict dynamics in the region.
In conclusion, the tensions between the DRC and Rwanda continue to escalate, particularly following the recent allegations and claims regarding FDLR fighters. FARDC’s denunciation of Rwanda’s assertions as a media stunt underscores the complex geopolitical landscape, with accusations of military malpractice on both sides contributing to the ongoing conflict. The situation remains precarious, as each party seeks to validate its position in this troubled region.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
