Source: Ministry of Defence Rwanda
The Rwandan FDLR genocidal forces operating in Democratic Republic of Congo are fleeing their hitherto strongholds in N. Kivu and have led many repatriating home in the last three months due to intensive battle conducted by FARDC-RDF led Intelligence operations. The joint military intelligence between Rwanda and DRC to track the FDLR and the Congolese forces operations against the rebels has destroyed many deployments and resulted into a split in FDLR ranks leading to the majority repatriating as a result of a comprehensive DDRR process by the Demobilisation Commission, while others are fleeing to Lubero and Beni areas.
Recently there have been new developments whereby Congolese civilians have organized themselves in local defence known as Mai Mai to get rid of the FDLR that they accuse of killing, raping and rooting. FDLR officers who have repatriated confirm that these developments have completely weakened them. They testify that they are worried by such situation where people who have previously supported them have now turned against them.
According to testimonies by the recent FDLR returnees who spoke to Media at Mutobo Demobilisation Center, on 24th January, the battle situation is so alarming that many of the FDLR senior commanders including their Chief of Staff, Brig Gen Leodomir Mugaragu have been killed. This was said by Capt Joseph Tuziyaremye, the FDLR Civil-Military officer who recently fled from FDLR headquarters. He further explained that this situation forced a big number to lose morale and decided to return to Rwanda.
In the last three months a total of 337 ex militia have repatriated to Rwanda fleeing the battle.
