The DRC military denies claims of capturing 20 Hutu rebels linked to the Rwandan genocide, describing the handover to Rwanda as fabricated. The M23 armed group reported the capture, but the DRC alleges that Rwanda staged the incident to tarnish their military reputation. Rising tensions indicate a risk of escalation into a broader regional conflict, with ongoing humanitarian concerns in eastern DRC.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) military refuted claims made by the M23 armed group regarding the capture of 20 alleged Hutu rebels linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The DRC authorities labeled a video of the purported handover to Rwanda as a fraudulent event aimed at undermining their military reputation. The M23 had previously reported the capture of members from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia predominantly comprising Hutus involved in the genocide.
The situation escalated following the M23’s video release, depicting the transfer of these fighters to Rwandan authorities at their mutual border. The DRC military leadership asserted that the incident was purely fictitious, stating, “This is a faked incident in poor taste orchestrated with the sole aim of discrediting our army,” emphasizing that it is part of a broader Rwandan strategy to justify incursions into DRC territory.
Furthermore, the DRC’s high command accused Rwanda of committing severe violations, including alleged summary executions of injured soldiers at a field hospital in Goma. Such acts have been classified as war crimes and crimes against humanity. As tensions rise, concerns grow over the potential for the conflict in eastern DRC to escalate into a region-wide war involving multiple countries, including Rwanda and Uganda.
The DRC government has continuously alleged Rwandan support for the M23 rebel group, a claim that Rwanda vehemently denies. Conversely, Rwanda accuses Kinshasa of colluding with the FDLR, a charge the DRC categorically rejects. The fluctuating military dynamics in the area have resulted in significant humanitarian repercussions, stirring alarms of further conflict amidst recent rebel offensives that have proven deadly for several peacekeepers within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
In summary, the DRC army strongly disputes the claims regarding the capture and handover of alleged FDLR fighters, deeming the incident as staged by Rwandan authorities. The accusations exchanged between DRC and Rwanda highlight the deepening tensions and complexities surrounding the conflict in the region. As both nations position themselves, there is a growing urgency to address the humanitarian crises emerging from the ongoing violence.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
