The statement released by RDF identified the two soldiers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as Sgt Asman Mupenda Termite, 30, and Cpl Anyasaka Nkoi Lucien, 28. The arrests occurred in the night leading to Tuesday 16th January 2024, around 1:10 a.m.

“This morning at 01:10hrs, three armed soldiers of the Democratic Republic of Congo armed forces (FARDC) crossed the border from the DRC into Rwanda at Rubavu District [in Rubavu Sector/Rukoko Cell/Isangano Village],” reads part of the statement.

RDF reported that the two soldiers were apprehended by RDF patrols supported by the local neighborhood watch (Irondo).

“The FARDC soldiers had in their possession one AK-47 gun, four magazines with 105 rounds, one protective vest, and cannabis sachets. The third soldier was shot dead when he fired at the patrols,” adds the statement.

Rwanda’s military clarified that no one on the Rwandan side was injured, and further investigations are underway.

Residents in the area where the incident occurred mentioned that the dead soldier was fired upon in Gafuku Village, Gikombe Cell of Rubavu Sector.

Meanwhile, his colleagues were respectively arrested in Isangano Village of Rukoko Cell and Rurembo Village of Byahi Cell in Rubavu Sector. They had crossed the border and were near Byahi Health Center on the road.

This is not the first instance of Congolese soldiers violating Rwandan territory. In March last year, another soldier was shot after crossing the main border in Rubavu.

The Congolese soldier was shot dead after illegally crossing into Rwandan territory.