The DRC army denounced claims of 20 fighters’ capture, calling the handover staged. The M23 group, backed by Rwanda, previously announced the arrests of FDLR members. Tensions persist in eastern DRC as the situation risks escalating into a broader conflict involving neighboring countries.
On March 2, 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s army publicly refuted claims regarding the capture of 20 fighters, alleged to be tied to the Rwandan genocide, asserting that the handover of these individuals to Rwanda was fabricated. This statement followed a report by the Rwanda-supported M23 armed group, which claimed to have captured members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia comprised of ethnic Hutus involved in the 1994 genocide.
The M23 has gained considerable ground in eastern DRC, taking control of significant areas, including the essential provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu. They released a video purportedly showing their forces transferring the alleged FDLR fighters at the border. However, the Congolese military dismissed this event as a “faked incident in poor taste,” aimed at tarnishing their image.
Congolese military leaders asserted that this incident forms part of a broader Rwandan strategy intended to legitimize its military presence in DRC. They accused Rwandan authorities of having manipulated the situation by presenting old FDLR detainees as newly captured fighters by outfitting them in fresh military uniforms. Moreover, the DRC high command accused the Rwandan army of committing war crimes through the summary execution of wounded soldiers at a field hospital in Goma.
As the conflict in eastern DRC intensifies, the potential for a broader regional conflict involving Rwanda, Uganda, and possibly additional nations increases significantly.
In summary, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s military vehemently denied claims of capturing FDLR fighters, branding the handover video as staged. The incidents highlighted ongoing tensions between Rwanda and DRC, with the potential for escalated conflict in the region. The DRC military’s accusations point to the complexities and escalating violence in eastern DRC, suggesting a dire need for international attention and resolution in the region.
Original Source: jordantimes.com
