DR Congo accuses Rwanda of staging a video of captured fighters linked to the Rwandan genocide, calling it a tactic to undermine Congolese military credibility. The M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have made territorial gains, resulting in significant civilian displacement and humanitarian distress. Accusations exchange between DRC officials and rebel groups intensify the already volatile situation in the region.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has accused Rwanda of staging a video that falsely portrays captured fighters as rebels associated with the 1994 Rwandan genocide. This allegation follows a claim by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern DRC, who asserted the capture of members from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia formed by ethnic Hutus involved in the genocide.
The DRC military described the video, which allegedly shows the handover of 20 FDLR rebels, as “faked” and part of a strategy to discredit the Congolese armed forces. They claimed that Rwanda had taken previously held FDLR prisoners and disguised them in military attire to convey that they were newly captured in Goma. This narrative, they argued, serves to justify Rwanda’s military actions within DRC territory.
Since January, M23 has made significant advances in eastern DRC, capturing key areas including Bukavu and Goma, which has resulted in approximately 500,000 people being displaced and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, as reported by the United Nations. The Congolese military condemned the actions of the Rwandan forces and reiterated its position against foreign intervention in its territory.
Rwanda has historically used the presence of FDLR forces in DRC as a pretext for supporting M23 operations. Though Rwanda previously denied backing M23, it has asserted its right to intervene militarily due to the threat posed by FDLR forces. Experts from the UN have estimated that 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan troops are currently active in southeastern DRC.
The DRC military’s accusations coincided with violence at a rally in Bukavu where M23 leaders were present, resulting in chaos and reported casualties. M23 recently captured Bukavu, fueling tensions with the DRC government. President Felix Tshisekedi has accused foreign forces of being responsible for the unrest, while M23 leaders blamed the DRC government’s handling of the situation.
The DRC has formally accused Rwanda of fabricating a video to misrepresent the situation regarding captured FDLR fighters, asserting that these actions undermine the integrity of Congolese military operations. As M23 gains ground, the region faces escalating humanitarian crises and violence, prompting calls from the African Union and UN for a ceasefire and disarmament. The backdrop of historical tensions continues to complicate the geopolitical landscape of eastern DRC.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
