DR Congo Denies Staged Handover of Alleged Hutu Rebels to Rwanda

The DRC army has rejected claims of capturing 20 alleged FDLR fighters, deeming a handover video to Rwanda as fabricated. This comes as the M23 armed group, supported by Rwanda, claims the captures amidst ongoing conflicts in eastern DRC. Accusations from the DRC suggest Rwanda is orchestrating these events to legitimize military presence in the region while engaging in war crimes against its wounded soldiers.

The army of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has refuted claims regarding the capture of 20 fighters purportedly affiliated with the Rwandan genocide. They labeled a video showcasing the handover of these individuals to Rwanda as a forgery. This statement followed a declaration by the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group, which asserted that it had apprehended soldiers from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group comprised of Hutu extremists responsible for the 1994 genocide.

Rwanda has historically cited the alleged presence of FDLR members in eastern DRC to rationalize its support for the M23 group. Recently, the M23 has gained significant territory in eastern DRC, capturing vital provincial capitals such as Goma and Bukavu. In a video, the M23 showcased the handover of 20 presumed FDLR fighters, which has since incited controversy.

The Congolese armed forces expressed that this event was a poorly executed staging intended to undermine their credibility. They accused the Rwandan government of fabricating these claims as part of a broader strategy to justify its military interventions in the DRC. Furthermore, the DRC high command claimed the Rwandan army has committed war crimes, including the summary execution of wounded soldiers at a field hospital in Goma.

The DRC’s army vehemently denies allegations of capturing FDLR fighters, characterizing the handover video as staged. This incident illustrates ongoing tensions between the DRC and Rwanda amid accusations of military manipulation. The situation highlights the escalating conflict in eastern DRC, which raises concerns about potential regional instability involving multiple nations.

Original Source: jordantimes.com