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DRC denies knowledge of army’s ties with FDLR despite international concerns

By Esther Muhozi
On 26 March 2024 at 01:36

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has denied any knowledge of collaboration between its army, FARDC, and the FDLR terrorist group, despite various reports, including from United Nations experts, suggesting otherwise.

These reports have documented FARDC officers working with the FDLR against the M23 group.

Following discussions with Rwanda and the United States in late 2023, FARDC Chief of Staff Christian Tshiwewe ordered a halt to any cooperation with the FDLR. However, Rwanda claims that collaboration persisted even after the FDLR launched attacks in 2022.

DRC Foreign Affairs Minister Christophe Lutundula, in a March 25, 2024, press briefing, insisted on the absence of information on the FDLR within the DRC government.

He urged the international community to share any intelligence to help eliminate the group and mentioned the need for identifying FDLR members for repatriation to Rwanda.

Lutundula also highlighted ongoing joint military operations with Burundi against various armed factions in South Kivu, aligning with the Nairobi declaration’s objectives. Nonetheless, he did not address why the DRC rejected Rwanda’s offer to dispatch troops to combat the FDLR, a move agreed upon in the declaration.

At a recent meeting in Luanda, Angola, Lutundula promised to outline measures for dismantling the FDLR in an upcoming April 2024 session.

DRC Foreign Affairs Minister Christophe Lutundula, in a March 25, 2024, press briefing, insisted on the absence of information on the FDLR within the DRC government.

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