The FARDC rejects Rwanda’s claims of capturing FDLR Commander Ezéchiel Gakwerere, calling it a public relations stunt to justify military aggression. FARDC highlights inconsistencies in the allegations and accuses Rwanda of manipulating the situation. The military tensions continue amid the ongoing M23 rebellion, reflecting broader geopolitical struggles in eastern Congo.
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) have refuted claims from Rwanda regarding the capture and repatriation of the FDLR Commander Ezéchiel Gakwerere and 14 others. FARDC characterized the operation as a mere public relations stunt designed to justify Rwanda’s aggressive actions towards the DRC. The statement follows Rwanda’s announcement of the capture of Gakwerere and other alleged FDLR members, who were reportedly found in new FARDC uniforms.
FARDC spokesperson General-Major Ekenge Bomusa Efomi Sylvain stated, “This action is a poorly executed fabrication aimed at discrediting our army and the SADC forces”. The Congolese military particularly challenged the credibility of the captured fighters’ list, highlighting inconsistencies, including the name of Patrick Ishimwe, previously noted in Rwandan media earlier in the year. This discrepancy raises questions about the authenticity of Rwanda’s claims.
FARDC suggested that Rwandan authorities manipulated the situation by dressing former FDLR prisoners in FARDC uniforms and presenting them as captured fighters. In contrast, Rwanda maintains that these individuals were working together with FARDC and other local mercenaries. Rwandan intelligence alleges that remnants of FDLR fighters have fled to various regions, despite FARDC’s refutations of any FDLR connections.
The DRC military perceives these allegations as part of Rwanda’s broader strategy to maintain military engagement in eastern Congo. FARDC accused Gakwerere of orchestrating crimes against Congolese civilians under Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s directives. Furthermore, the Congolese military condemned the Rwandan army for war crimes, specifically citing the execution of Congolese soldiers at a military hospital.
Tensions between the DRC and Rwanda are rising as the M23 rebellion continues to disrupt stability in North Kivu. Despite Rwanda’s justification for pursuing FDLR elements, the DRC views the M23 insurgency as a manifestation of Rwanda’s territorial ambitions in the region.
In summary, the FARDC has strongly refuted Rwanda’s claims regarding the capture of FDLR leaders, labeling it a fabricated operation intended to justify Rwanda’s aggression. Observations of inconsistencies in the allegations further underpin the DRC’s position, as tensions escalate due to the ongoing M23 rebellion. The situation highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics and the persistent volatility in eastern Congo, demonstrating the significant implications of alleged foreign interventions on regional stability.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
