The FARDC refutes Rwanda’s claims about the arrest of FDLR Commander Gakwerere, calling it a media stunt to justify aggression against the DRC. They describe inconsistencies in the reported repatriation of fighters dressed in new FARDC uniforms. The DRC military alleges that Rwanda’s actions are part of a larger strategy for territorial control and accuse them of committing war crimes.
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) have firmly rejected Rwanda’s assertions regarding the detention and repatriation of FDLR Commander Ezéchiel Gakwerere and 14 alleged FDLR fighters, labeling it a “staged operation” intended to rationalize Rwanda’s aggression toward the DRC. This denial follows announcements from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and M23 rebels about Gakwerere’s capture, who was allegedly apprehended alongside other fighters in FARDC uniforms.
The FARDC spokesperson, General-Major Ekenge Bomusa Efomi Sylvain, criticized the operation as a poorly crafted fabrication aimed at tarnishing the reputation of their military and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces. The statement emphasized that the incident aligns with Rwanda’s strategy to justify its invasion of DRC territory.
FARDC further discredited the report of repatriation, highlighting inconsistencies such as the inclusion of Patrick Ishimwe, a known individual already presented in Rwandan media earlier. They accused Rwanda of manipulating circumstances by taking prisoners from Gitarama Central Prison, dressing them in FARDC uniforms, and claiming them as captured fighters from Goma.
The RDF maintains that the captured individuals, including Gakwerere, were collaborating with FARDC, Wazalendo, and SAMIDRC mercenaries. Rwandan officials allege that some FDLR elements have escaped to various territories, while others are embedded within M23-controlled regions.
The DRC military posited that these allegations are part of a larger attempt by Rwanda to justify its military presence in eastern Congo. They pointed out that Gakwerere has been associated with Rwandan leadership, allegedly responsible for orchestrating atrocities against Congolese civilians under President Kagame’s directions.
In addition to disputing FDLR links, the FARDC accuses the Rwandan army of war crimes, such as the execution of incapacitated Congolese soldiers at a military hospital. This specific incident is identified as a war crime and a crime against humanity that will not go unpunished.
These developments occur amidst rising tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, exacerbated by the ongoing M23 rebellion destabilizing North Kivu. While Rwanda insists that it targets genocidal militia, the DRC asserts that the M23 insurgency represents Rwanda’s ambitions for territorial expansion in eastern DRC.
In summary, the FARDC has categorically denied Rwanda’s claims concerning the arrest of FDLR Commander Ezéchiel Gakwerere, branding it as a contrived operation intended to legitimize Rwanda’s military intervention. The DRC military’s rebuttals highlight serious allegations against the Rwandan government, as hostilities persist amid the volatile situation in North Kivu, where the M23 rebellion continues to challenge the region’s stability.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
