The FARDC has denounced Rwanda’s claims of capturing FDLR Commander Gakwerere as a staged operation. FARDC argues that this narrative serves to justify Rwanda’s military actions in the DRC. They reject any collaboration with FDLR rebels and accuse Rwanda of fabricating evidence. The situation highlights increasing tensions amid ongoing territorial disputes.
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) have categorically dismissed recent claims made by Rwanda regarding the apprehension and return of FDLR Commander Ezéchiel Gakwerere and 14 other alleged FDLR members. FARDC described the operation as a “staged endeavor” intended to lend credibility to what they view as Rwanda’s aggressive actions against the DRC.
In a public statement, FARDC spokesperson General-Major Ekenge Bomusa Efomi Sylvain asserted that the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) and M23 rebels fabricated the narrative surrounding Gakwerere’s capture. The FARDC contested that these developments are part of a larger strategy by Rwanda to validate its encroachment onto Congolese territory.
The FARDC heavily criticized the veracity of the repatriation claims, citing discrepancies in the list of purportedly captured individuals. Notably, it was pointed out that one individual named, Patrick Ishimwe, had already been featured in Rwandan media in January 2025, raising questions about the legitimacy of the entire operation.
Moreover, FARDC accused the Rwandan authorities of employing deceptive tactics, alleging that they sourced former FDLR detainees from Gitarama Central Prison, outfitted them in new FARDC uniforms, and misrepresented them as recently captured fighters from Goma.
While the RDF maintains that the FDLR operatives, including Gakwerere, were collaborating with the FARDC and associated mercenary groups, the FARDC firmly denounces any association with FDLR rebels. Furthermore, they argue that Rwanda utilizes such accusations as a justification for their continued military actions in eastern DRC.
The FARDC has further alleged that the Rwandan military has engaged in war crimes, specifically highlighting heinous acts during military operations in Goma, including the execution of vulnerable Congolese soldiers. Such actions, according to the FARDC, exemplify a severe breach of humanitarian law.
As tensions between the DRC and Rwanda escalate, these developments illustrate the complexity of the M23 insurgency and Rwanda’s strategic interests in the eastern region of the DRC. While Rwanda claims to combat genocidal militia, DRC asserts that the M23 rebellion represents Rwanda’s ambitions for territorial expansion.
The FARDC has firmly rejected Rwanda’s claims regarding the capture of FDLR Commander Gakwerere, labeling the operation a fabricated media stunt intended to justify Rwanda’s military actions in the DRC. The ongoing accusations and counterclaims from both nations underscore the fragile relationship and the intricate dynamics of the M23 rebellion, with significant implications for regional stability.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
