It takes a special kind of audacity for a blacklisted genocidal militia like FDLR to write an open letter to the President of the United States, and pretend it speaks for peace.
That is what happened over the weekend when a longwinded letter, penned by Victor Byiringiro, the so called general and a leader of FDLR, was written addressing to Trump. This is not just absurd, it is dangerous. These are the very men who should be behind bars, not penning propaganda to Washington.
President Trump, like any informed global leader, knows the true identity of these Interahamwe, architects of death, merchants of hate, and lifelong proponents of Hutu Power extremism.
The FDLR’s record in Rwanda and the DRC is one of bloodshed, child soldier recruitment, ethnic cleansing, obstruction of peace and ultimate intent of causing a regime change in Rwanda. Their ideology did not end in 1994, it simply regrouped, rearmed, and relocated. For them to suggest they are guardians of peace is like the arsonist claiming to be the firefighter.
Even more troubling, after the so called letter, is the silence of the DRC government. This letter did not float out of nowhere it was released from Congolese territory, under the nose of a regime that just signed a peace agreement in Washington.
Tshisekedi’s government, which is in open alliances with these genocidal militias, has again shown his true character. Is this how the illegitimate ruler of DRC wants to honour the commitments he made in front of President Trump? And what does it say about his Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba, who told Trump that DRC needed to be hold to account on implementation of the agreement? Accountability should start with them!
The FDLR’s letter is nothing short of pure hogwash and nonsensical contradictions. They claim to be sidelined by the international community, yet the very act of writing to Donald Trump proves the opposite. They pretend to be victims of neglect while addressing the most high-profile figure in global politics. This isn’t a plea for justice, it’s a cynical stunt for attention. Worse still, they frame their existence as a quest for refugee protection when in fact they are the reason so many civilians remain in fear.
They point to past disarmament efforts and cantonment, pretending to have cooperated, yet those same forces are today regrouped and issuing letters instead of laying down arms. They present their leadership as victims of injustice while omitting the genocidal blueprint they follow to this day.
If operations like Umoja Wetu or Sokola were truly successful, the FDLR would not still be broadcasting hatred twenty years later. The fact that they remain active proves the job was not finished, and Rwanda must take note of that unfinished business.
President Tshisekedi cannot pretend to build peace with one hand while fueling terror with the other. Rwanda has been clear before, and it must be clear again. It will not wait for permission or acknowledgment from a double-speaking neighbour when its national security is at stake.
If the FDLR continues to operate freely inside Congolese territory, then Rwanda will do what it must to neutralize the threat, anywhere, anytime. This letter was not just an insult to victims, it was a provocation. The response will be measured, but it will be firm.
ellenkampire