DR Congo Denies Allegations of Faking Handover of Hutu Rebels to Rwanda

The DRC’s military denied claims of capturing 20 FDLR fighters, calling the handover to Rwanda a staged event to discredit their army. They accused Rwanda of manipulation, alleging that the Rwandan forces are guilty of war crimes. The border tensions between DRC and Rwanda could lead to greater regional instability and humanitarian issues.

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s armed forces have rejected claims that they captured 20 members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group linked to the Rwandan genocide. This assertion followed a statement from the M23 armed group, which stated they had apprehended these fighters and purportedly handed them over to Rwanda at a border post. The DRC’s military characterized the handover video as a deception intended to undermine their credibility.

The Congolese military leadership labeled the incident as a “faked incident in poor taste,” asserting that the intent was to vilify the army. They further accused the Rwandan government of employing misinformation tactics, claiming the Rwandan authorities have dressed old FDLR detainees in new military uniforms to fabricate the appearance of newly captured fighters.

The DRC military also leveled significant accusations against the Rwandan army, specifically the alleged summary executions of injured soldiers in Goma, classifying these acts as war crimes. The situation in eastern DRC remains precarious, with the potential for expanding regional conflict that could involve neighboring countries, including Rwanda and Uganda.

Accusations exchanged between the DRC and Rwanda have intensified, with Kinshasa alleging Rwandan support for the M23 rebel group, while Kigali contends that the DRC collaborates with the FDLR. The ongoing military operations have generated instability, leading to human displacement and increased humanitarian concerns, and several peacekeepers from the Southern African Development Community have reportedly lost their lives due to recent conflicts.

In summary, the DRC government vehemently denies the capture of Hutu fighters and claims that the alleged handover to Rwanda is a staged performance designed to tarnish their reputation. Tensions between the DRC and Rwanda are escalating, compounded by mutual accusations of supporting rebel groups. The conflict in eastern DRC raises grave concerns about regional stability, humanitarian crises, and potential for broader warfare.

Original Source: www.voanews.com