The DRC army has denied the capture of 20 alleged FDLR fighters, calling a video of their handover to Rwanda a fabricated incident. The claims arose after the M23 rebel group announced the capture of these individuals. Accusations between DRC and Rwanda regarding military activities and support for rebel factions continue to fuel the conflict, raising concerns of broader regional instability.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s armed forces refuted claims regarding the capture of twenty individuals associated with the Rwandan genocide, labeling the event a fabricated incident. This assertion arose following a statement from the M23 rebel group, which claimed to have apprehended members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an organization established by Hutu extremists involved in the 1994 Tutsi genocide.
The M23 released a video depicting the transfer of the alleged FDLR members to Rwandan authorities at the border, intensifying existing tensions. In response, Congolese military leaders declared the event was designed to undermine the credibility of their army. They accused Rwandan officials of collaborating in this deception by using detained FDLR suspects, re-dressing them as freshly captured fighters.
In summary, the Democratic Republic of Congo maintains that the video of the alleged handover of FDLR fighters is a deceitful act intended to tarnish the image of its military. The conflict in eastern DRC remains complex, with accusations exchanged between the DRC and Rwanda regarding support for rebel groups. Such tensions pose significant risks of escalating the conflict into a broader regional crisis, affecting humanitarian efforts and regional stability.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
