FARDC has dismissed Rwanda’s claims regarding the capture of FDLR Commander Gakwerere as a media stunt intended to justify aggression against the DRC. They highlighted inconsistencies in the alleged operation and accused Rwanda of manipulating circumstances. The ongoing conflict remains marked by accusations of war crimes and geopolitical strategies undermining stability in eastern Congo.
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) have categorically rejected claims from Rwanda regarding the arrest and repatriation of FDLR Commander Ezéchiel Gakwerere and 14 other alleged FDLR fighters. They described the operation as a “staged event” intended to justify Rwanda’s aggression towards the DRC. This statement followed announcements from both the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and M23 rebels about Gakwerere’s capture in Goma.
FARDC representatives claimed that the alleged capture was part of a poorly executed fabrication meant to undermine their reputation and discredit the Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces. FARDC spokesperson General-Major Ekenge Bomusa Efomi Sylvain stated that this incident aligns with a broader strategy by Rwanda to legitimize its militaristic incursions into Congolese territory.
In their response, FARDC pointed out discrepancies in the list of purported captured fighters, highlighting that one of the individuals, Patrick Ishimwe, had previously appeared in Rwandan media. FARDC further expressed concerns that Rwandan authorities may have manipulated the situation by dressing former FDLR prisoners in newly acquired military uniforms to create the illusion of a successful operation against the FDLR in Goma.
Rwanda maintains that the captured fighters, including Gakwerere, collaborated with both FARDC and local mercenaries. Intelligence reports from Rwandan authorities suggest that some FDLR members have fled to various regions while others remain in territories under M23 control. FARDC refuted any claims linking them to the FDLR, asserting that such allegations are merely pretexts for continued Rwandan military presence in the eastern DRC.
In addition to disputing the FDLR claims, FARDC accused the Rwandan army of violating international law by executing sick and wounded Congolese soldiers in Goma—a situation FARDC characterized as a war crime and a crime against humanity. The ongoing tensions between the DRC and Rwanda have raised concerns as the M23 rebellion continues to create instability in North Kivu.
While Rwanda insists that its actions target genocidal militia groups like the FDLR, officials in Kinshasa argue that the M23 insurgency serves as a proxy for Rwandan territorial ambitions in eastern Congo, resulting in escalating conflict and humanitarian crises.
The FARDC’s dismissal of Rwanda’s claims regarding the arrest of FDLR members highlights the continuing tensions between the DRC and Rwanda amid accusations of military aggression and manipulation. With FARDC alleging war crimes by Rwandan forces, the conflict remains a complex geopolitical issue with significant implications for regional stability and security.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
