The DRC army has denied capturing 20 alleged FDLR fighters, labeling the handover to Rwanda as faked. The M23 armed group claimed responsibility for the capture, while tensions between DRC and Rwanda heighten as accusations of war crimes emerge. The situation raises concerns about a potential regional conflict as humanitarian crises mount.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) military refuted claims that 20 fighters associated with the Rwandan genocide were captured on their territory, deeming the handover to Rwanda a fabricated event. This assertion followed the M23 armed group’s announcement of capturing individuals from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia of Hutus involved in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis.
A video was released by M23 showing its forces purportedly transferring these FDLR fighters to Rwandan authorities at a border crossing. In response, the DRC military declared, “This is a faked incident in poor taste orchestrated with the sole aim of discrediting our army,” asserting that such events contribute to Rwanda’s agenda to justify incursions into Congolese territory.
The DRC military leadership alleged that Rwanda manipulated the situation by using former FDLR detainees dressed in military uniforms to fabricate the capture of new fighters. They also accused the Rwandan army of committing war crimes, specifically citing incidents of summary executions at a Goma field hospital, which they described as a violation of human rights.
The rising conflict in eastern DRC presents concerns of escalating into a larger regional war involving nations like Rwanda and Uganda. The DRC has continually accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels, which Rwanda denies, while also asserting that DRC collaborates with the FDLR, an allegation that DRC officials dispute. Clashes have led to significant humanitarian issues and displacement of civilians in the region.
The DRC’s military dismisses allegations of capturing FDLR fighters as deceptive, aiming to undermine their credibility. Tensions between DRC and Rwanda continue to escalate, raising fears of a broader regional conflict. The ongoing humanitarian crisis further complicates the situation, necessitating urgent attention from the international community to prevent further violence and instability in the region.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
