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Soldiers from the Rwandan Defense Force (FDR) are present in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This presence, reported “in the territories of Nyiragongo, Rutshuru and Masisi was confirmed by defense and security officers, sources from MONUSCO, former FDLR combatants, members of civil society. and researchers ”. This can be read in a report by the United Nations group of experts.
According to this document, the Rwandan army carried out military operations in North Kivu between late 2019 and early October 2020. As of October 2, 2020, 60 members of the FDR carrying 18 PKM machine guns and 4 rocket launchers were observed on Mount Rugomba, in Rutshuru territory.
These experts claim to have examined various pieces of evidence including documents, photographs and aerial images and report having carried out more than twenty interviews with various sources.
Reading these experts, the Congolese authorities are aware of the presence of Rwandan elements in the DRC. They recall that in a letter dated April 22, 2020, addressed to the head of the Extended Joint Verification Mechanism of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the FARDC Chief of Staff denounced this Rwandan presence on Congolese soil: “The letter referred to a violation of the border between Rwanda and the DRC by members of the FDR who had set up a camp in Kabara, in the territory of Nyiragongo (province of North Kivu) at the beginning of the months, ”they say.
Entrusting himself to POLITICO.CD, the National Deputy and member of the PAJ defense and security committee, Juvenal Munobo, is categorical: “The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) must be active. There is no excuse. It is a sovereign duty and the very existence of the State depends on it ”. For this elected representative of Walikale, “despite the current political context, it appears very urgent that the Government provide explanations on the exact circumstances of the presence of these Rwandan elements on Congolese soil. Is this an incursion? From an invitation from the Congolese authorities? ”
Juvenal Munobo nevertheless acknowledges that the alerts on the presence of Rwandan soldiers in the DRC do not date from today. Several alerts have been issued since 2019, “but this is very serious. This is the group of UN experts ”which is sounding the alarm.
The national deputy cannot believe it. “This is not the first time that we have received information in this direction. Last year, civil society alerted about Nyiragongo. The Kivu Security barometer had also alerted. But it is very serious. It is now the United Nations group of experts, that is to say the international community as a whole, of which the DRC is a member. We are surprised. How they can end up on Congolese soil without the Congolese authorities being able to provide the slightest explanation ”, Juvenal Munobo is surprised.
Stéphie MUKINZI
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