DR Congo Denies Alleged Handover of 20 Hutu Rebels to Rwanda as Fake

The DRC army has denied the capture of 20 alleged FDLR fighters, calling a handover video to Rwanda fake. This comes after the M23 militia claimed the capture, which DRC links to Rwandan interests. Accusations of staged incidents and war crimes are complicating the already tense situation in eastern DRC, raising concerns about a broader regional conflict.

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military has dismissed reports regarding the capture of 20 alleged fighters linked to the Rwandan genocide, describing a video of their purported handover to Rwanda as fabricated. This denial follows a statement from the Rwandan-backed M23 militia, which claimed responsibility for apprehending members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group associated with the 1994 genocide against Tutsis.

The Congolese armed forces stated that the M23’s actions serve to justify Rwanda’s long-standing claims of FDLR operatives being present in eastern DRC. The M23 has gained significant territory in the region, including control over major cities such as Goma and Bukavu. In response to the video release, the Congolese military characterized the incident as a staged act designed to undermine its credibility.

The Congolese military high command accused the Rwandan government of employing deceptive tactics, asserting that they had exploited old detainees, dressed them in new military uniforms, and presented them as recently captured fighters. Furthermore, they condemned alleged extrajudicial killings of injured soldiers at a field hospital in Goma, suggesting that such actions may constitute war crimes.

The rising hostilities in eastern DRC have sparked concerns over the potential for a broader regional conflict that could involve Rwanda, Uganda, and other nations, highlighting the precarious nature of security in the area.

In summary, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s military has rejected claims about the capture of FDLR fighters by the M23 militia. The DRC accuses Rwanda of fabricating evidence to justify its military actions, while allegations of war crimes add to the region’s instability. The situation remains tense, raising fears of an escalation into a wider conflict involving neighboring countries.

Original Source: jordantimes.com