At the fifth ministerial meeting between DRC and Rwanda, mediated by Angola on October 12, Congolese ruler Tshisekedi authorized his minister of foreign affairs to sign a harmonized plan aimed at dismantling FDLR.
This move meant to ease tensions with Rwanda and allow the latter to lift its defense measures, raises critical questions. Will Tshisekedi implement the plan, or is it just another of his meaningless maneuvers, destined to gather dust on the shelves, as Kinshasa drags its feet?
The complexities surrounding the disarmament and neutralizing of FDLR terrorist militia in the Kivus are ones that Kinshasa regimes are solidly responsible for. They allowed large swathes of Congolese territory become hotbeds of lawlessness in which armed militia activity thrived.
Now, a key challenges is that the Rwanda Interahamwe aka FDLR share positions with multiple other bandit groups, including the Wazalendo militia, the Congolese army FARDC, and even the Burundian Military (which is no different than any other ragtag militia!)
These entanglements make any potential military operation against FDLR more complicated than than it even appears on the surface – hence why Tshisekedi must work much harder, with much more commitment than he has ever shown, because there must be no excuse for failure on his part.
The Nyatura cutthroat group, for example, is closely linked to FDLR. Often referred to as a “new generation” of the FDLR, Nyatura is composed primarily of youthful Hutu bandits. (They became bandists because their parents brainwashed them). They were born in refugee camps or villages where FDLR (the successor of the ex-FAR and Interahamwe militia, the chief perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi) was born.
The overlapping of positions between these militias, the FARDC, and the Burundian forces means that any military action could trigger wider conflicts amongst them, meaning Tshisekedi really has his work cut out for him! But he must never have an excuse not to tackle this issue, which he has had a big role in making far worse.
A significant percentage of the Wazalendo militia are believed to be former FDLR members, supported and armed by officials of the Tshisekedi regime. Tshisekedi therefore can start with his own government officials that happen to be sponsors of bandit groups like Nyatura, taking them to task, to stop it.
Adding to the complexities, just weeks ago, orders were issued within FARDC ranks to avoid engaging FDLR forces altogether. That order must be rescinded, followed by FDLR being declared an illegal armed group in DRC, and given an ultimatum to lay down arms.
Dealing with the toughest militia groups first, and smaller ones later, would be the way to go.
Congolese officials, beginning with their president, have to grow up and start taking measures that responsible governments do. They can’t keep behaving like evil, overgrown children with no vision how to turn their country into a responsible member of the community of nations.
ellenkampire