The FARDC has dismissed Rwanda’s claims of capturing FDLR commander Gakwerere as a staged operation to justify Rwandan aggression. Allegations of inconsistencies in the capture are highlighted, with FARDC accusing Rwanda of manipulation. This incident occurs amidst rising tensions as the DRC faces the ongoing M23 insurgency, which is viewed as a proxy for Rwandan interests in the region.
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) have categorically dismissed claims made by Rwanda regarding the supposed arrest and repatriation of FDLR Commander Ezéchiel Gakwerere and 14 additional alleged FDLR fighters. They described the incident as a “staged operation” intended to provide a justification for Rwandan aggression in the DRC.
This denial follows announcements from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and M23 rebels regarding the capture of Gakwerere, also known as Sibo Stany, who, they allege, was apprehended alongside other FDLR members dressed in new FARDC uniforms. The RDF stated that these individuals were subsequently handed over to Rwandan authorities at the Grande Barrière border post in Rubavu.
General-Major Ekenge Bomusa Efomi Sylvain, a spokesperson for FARDC, criticized the claims as a poorly orchestrated plan aimed at undermining both the Congolese army and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces. He asserted that such narratives fit into Rwanda’s broader geopolitical agenda to justify military incursions into Congolese territory.
The FARDC further contested the credibility of the repatriation, highlighting discrepancies in the list of individuals purportedly captured, including the reappearance of Patrick Ishimwe, previously reported in Rwandan media in January 2025. They alleged that there was an ill-conceived attempt to fabricate evidence by using former FDLR prisoners from Gitarama prison, falsely presenting them as captured fighters.
RDF maintained that the captured individuals, including Gakwerere, were allegedly collaborating with FARDC, Wazalendo, and SAMIDRC mercenaries. Rwandan intelligence has suggested that some FDLR members have fled to areas such as Walikale, Lubero, and Mwenga, while others are purportedly concealed in regions controlled by M23.
In response, the DRC military asserted that these accusations are part of Rwanda’s strategy to legitimize its ongoing military presence in eastern Congo. They alleged that Gakwerere had been acting under the directives of President Paul Kagame, involved in orchestrating attacks against Congolese civilians.
FARDC refuted any association with the FDLR and characterized the allegations as a mere pretext for Rwanda to sustain its military operations and support M23 forces. The Congolese military has also accused the Rwandan Army of committing war crimes, citing specific incidents such as the summary execution of injured Congolese soldiers at Katindo Military Hospital in Goma, calling them crimes against humanity that will warrant accountability.
These latest events occur amid heightened tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, as the ongoing M23 rebellion continues to threaten stability in North Kivu. While Rwanda asserts it is targeting genocidal militia elements such as the FDLR, the DRC contends that the M23 insurgency functions as a direct proxy for Rwanda’s territorial ambitions in eastern Congo.
In conclusion, the FARDC has firmly rejected Rwandan claims of an FDLR capture as a deliberate fabrication aimed at justifying military aggression against the DRC. This incident highlights the intensifying conflict between Rwanda and the DRC, where both nations accuse each other of manipulation and wrongful actions. Such tensions underscore the complexities of regional security as the M23 rebellion continues to destabilize North Kivu, revealing deeper geopolitical motives.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
