At the age of 54, Colonel Ruhinda led a specialized unit within the FDLR known as the Commando for Research and Action in Depth (CRAP). Credible information reported by IGIHE confirms that Colonel Ruhinda lost his life on Sunday, December 3, in the confrontations between the March 23 Movement (M23) and the coalition of FARDC, FDLR, Mai-Mai, Nyatura, and Wazalendu in the Masisi territory in North Kivu.

Last year, Colonel Ruhinda had been featured in reports by UN experts on security in Eastern Congo.

These reports exposed his involvement in multiple meetings organized by the Congolese government to garner support from armed groups in countering the M23.

Moreover, Colonel Ruhinda has been identified as the individual responsible for ordering the launch of bombs that struck Rwandan territory in June 2022. These attacks resulted in significant damage, especially as Rwanda was gearing up to host a summit of Commonwealth Heads of State.

FDLR’s special forces commander, Col Ruhinda has died in clashes between Congolese Army and M23.