The FARDC has dismissed Rwanda’s claims of capturing FDLR Commander Gakwerere as a fabricated media stunt intended to justify Rwanda’s aggression against the DRC. They cited inconsistencies in the reported identities of captured fighters and linked the allegations to Rwanda’s geopolitical ambitions. Furthermore, FARDC accused Rwanda of war crimes, intensifying existing tensions between the two nations amid the ongoing M23 insurgency.
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) have vehemently rejected claims from Rwanda regarding the arrest and repatriation of FDLR Commander Ezéchiel Gakwerere alongside 14 other alleged fighters. They characterized it as a “staged operation” aimed at legitimizing Rwanda’s aggressive actions against the DRC. FARDC spokesperson General-Major Ekenge Bomusa Efomi Sylvain emphasized that this incident is part of a broader strategy by Rwanda to rationalize its military activities in eastern Congo.
Following the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and M23 rebels’ announcement of Gakwerere’s capture, the FARDC cited discrepancies in the reported identities of the alleged FDLR members. They pointed out that one name, Patrick Ishimwe, had been previously featured in Rwandan media well before his alleged capture, indicating a lack of credibility in Rwanda’s narrative. The FARDC contended that the supposed fighters were actually former prisoners dressed in new FARDC uniforms, misleadingly presented as captured rebels.
Furthermore, the FARDC has accused the Rwandan authorities of orchestrating this incident to manipulate public perception. They allege that Rwanda’s accusations are unfounded and serve as a pretext for maintaining military presence in Congolese territory. The FARDC insists there is no connection between their military and the FDLR, arguing that such claims are distractions from Rwanda’s true motives in the region.
In addition to denying any links with the FDLR, the Congolese military has alleged that the Rwandan army has committed war crimes, notably accusing them of executing wounded Congolese soldiers at a military hospital. This assertion, they claim, constitutes a crime against humanity that warrants accountability. The growing tension between the DRC and Rwanda continues, particularly as the M23 rebellion exacerbates instability in North Kivu, with accusations of proxy warfare influencing both nations’ security strategies.
The FARDC’s refutation of Rwanda’s claims concerning the capture of FDLR Commander Ezéchiel Gakwerere underscores escalating tensions in the region. The Congolese military’s allegations emphasize not only inconsistencies in Rwanda’s narrative but also broader concerns regarding military presence and potential war crimes by Rwanda. As the M23 rebellion persists, the conflict between the DRC and Rwanda remains a significant point of instability in eastern Africa.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
