DR Congo Denies Alleged Handover of Hutu Rebels as Fabricated Incident
The DRC army denounced claims regarding the capture of twenty alleged Hutu rebels as fabricated, made by the Rwanda-supported M23 group. The DRC accused Rwanda of staging the incident to discredit its military and justifying its actions in the region. Allegations of war crimes against Rwandan forces further complicate the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, raising fears of an expanded regional war.
On the first of March 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) publicly rejected claims that twenty fighters associated with the Rwandan genocide had been captured on its soil. This response was issued following a statement by the Rwanda-backed M23 armed faction, which asserted that they had taken members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) prisoner in eastern DRC. The DRC army characterized a video depicting the alleged handover of FDLR fighters to Rwandan authorities as “faked.”
The M23’s advance into eastern DRC has been facilitated by the support of Rwanda, leading to significant territorial gains, including control over the strategic cities of Goma and Bukavu. DRC military officials stated that the video was merely a deceptive act meant to undermine the credibility of the DRC armed forces. They further alleged that the Rwandan military is manipulating events to justify its incursions into Congolese territory.
In its statement, DRC military chiefs accused Rwandan authorities of staging the capture by dissembling older detainees in new military uniforms and presenting them as recent captives. They also claimed that the Rwandan forces have engaged in “summary executions” of injured and ill soldiers at a field facility in Goma, which they categorized as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The ongoing violence in eastern DRC has escalated tensions and ignited concerns regarding the potential for the conflict to expand into a larger regional war, involving neighboring countries such as Rwanda and Uganda. This precarious situation poses significant threats to stability in the region and calls for urgent attention to prevent further escalation.
In summary, the DRC has dismissed accusations regarding the capture of Hutu rebels as misinformation designed by Rwanda to rationalize its military actions in Congolese territory. The situation remains volatile, with serious allegations against both Rwandan forces and the potential for the conflict to extend regionally. Continuous monitoring and diplomatic efforts are available to avert a broader warfare. Additionally, the claims of staged incidents and war crimes must be thoroughly investigated to uphold justice and accountability in the region.
Original Source: jordantimes.com
