DR Congo Dismisses Allegations of Staged Handover of Hutu Rebels

The DRC government has denied that 20 alleged FDLR fighters were captured on its territory, describing a video of their handover to Rwanda as faked. The statement follows claims by the M23 group, backed by Rwanda, which has made territorial gains in eastern DRC. The DRC military accused Rwanda of war crimes in its ongoing conflict, raising concerns about escalating regional tensions.

On March 2, 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) refuted claims regarding the capture of 20 fighters purportedly linked to the Rwandan genocide. The Congolese army described a video showing their handover to Rwanda as fabricated. This statement followed assertions made by the Rwanda-supported M23 armed group, which claimed to have detained fighters from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

The FDLR, composed mainly of ethnic Hutus involved in the 1994 genocide against Tutsis, has been cited by Rwanda as justification for their military actions in eastern DRC. The M23 has recently gained substantial territory in the mineral-rich eastern DRC, including critical cities such as Goma and Bukavu.

Following the video release depicting the alleged transfer of FDLR fighters, the Congolese armed forces accused Rwanda of orchestrating a deceptive incident to undermine the DRC military. They stated, “This is part of the Rwandan strategy to justify the invasion of parts of the DRC’s territory.” The DRC military further claimed that the Rwandan forces committed war crimes through the execution of injured and sick soldiers in Goma.

The situation in eastern DRC remains tense, with increased fears of a wider conflict involving Rwanda, Uganda, and other neighboring nations, underscoring the fragile security dynamics in the region.

In summary, the DRC government has rejected claims of recent captures of FDLR fighters, denouncing the claims as fraudulent and politically motivated. The ongoing tensions in eastern DRC may lead to an escalation involving regional powers, further complicating an already volatile situation. The DRC military’s accusations against Rwanda highlight the serious allegations of war crimes and the deteriorating trust between the two nations.

Original Source: jordantimes.com