The FARDC has rejected Rwanda’s claims of capturing FDLR Commander Gakwerere, calling it a fabricated media stunt meant to justify military actions in the DRC. They cite inconsistencies in the reported details and deny any affiliation with FDLR rebels. This controversy underscores the rising tensions between the DRC and Rwanda amidst the destabilizing M23 insurgency.
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) have vehemently rejected claims from Rwanda regarding the arrest and repatriation of FDLR Commander Ezéchiel Gakwerere, describing it as a fabricated event intended to justify military aggression against the DRC. This assertion follows a statement from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and M23 rebels who claimed to have captured Gakwerere and other FDLR members supposedly disguised in FARDC uniforms.
FARDC spokesperson General-Major Ekenge Bomusa Efomi Sylvain criticized the alleged operation as a poorly constructed media stunt aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Congolese military and Southern African Development Community forces. The FARDC claims that Rwanda’s actions align with a broader strategy to legitimize its military incursions into Congolese territory.
The Congolese military has pointed out discrepancies in the list of reported captured FDLR members, citing an individual, Patrick Ishimwe, who has previously been seen in Rwandan media. They argue that the inconsistencies undermine the credibility of Rwanda’s claims, suggesting that FDLR fighters were actually former prisoners from Gitarama re-dressed in Congolese military attire for this operation.
The RDF maintains that Gakwerere and the captured militants were collaborating with FARDC, Wazalendo, and SAMIDRC mercenaries, alleging that some FDLR operatives have fled to various regions in North Kivu. The FARDC has accused Rwanda of manipulating narratives to justify its military presence in the region, asserting that Gakwerere has long been acting on orders from President Kagame to carry out atrocities against Congolese civilians.
In their response, the DRC military has denied any affiliation with the FDLR and condemned Rwanda’s military actions, including alleged war crimes against Congolese soldiers. This latest exchange of accusations highlights the rising tensions between the DRC and Rwanda amid ongoing instability driven by the M23 rebellion in North Kivu. Kinshasa emphasizes that Rwanda’s military activities are aimed at realizing territorial ambitions under the guise of combating militia groups.
The FARDC has strongly denounced Rwanda’s claims about capturing FDLR Commander Gakwerere as a fabricated operation intended to justify Rwanda’s aggressive military presence in the DRC. They highlighted inconsistencies in Rwanda’s narrative while firmly rejecting any links with the FDLR, asserting these allegations serve as a pretext for continued intervention. The situation remains tense as geopolitical tensions persist between the DRC and Rwanda amid the ongoing M23 insurrection.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
