RUBAVU - Rwanda’s Chief of General Staff Gen. James Kabarebe, yesterday met with his Congolese counterpart, Gen Dieudonnée Kayembe and discussed ways of taking measures to neutralize ex-FAR/ Interahamwe and Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). The militias have since remained active in eastern DRC despite many diplomatic efforts to address the problem. Gen. Kayembe was in Rwanda on invitation by his Rwandan counterpart, and the two held talks at Kivu Serena Hotel, in Rubavu District, and was facilitated by the MONUC force commander, Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye.
RUBAVU - Rwanda’s Chief of General Staff Gen. James Kabarebe, yesterday met with his Congolese counterpart, Gen Dieudonnée Kayembe and discussed ways of taking measures to neutralize ex-FAR/ Interahamwe and Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). The militias have since remained active in eastern DRC despite many diplomatic efforts to address the problem. Gen. Kayembe was in Rwanda on invitation by his Rwandan counterpart, and the two held talks at Kivu Serena Hotel, in Rubavu District, and was facilitated by the MONUC force commander, Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye.
A joint communiqué issued at the end of the meeting stated that the meeting was aimed at joint operations by the Congolese army and MONUC against the ex-FAR/ Interahamwe, and also to discuss the presence of FDLR rebels close to the DRC-Rwanda border.
The communiqué, signed by both military chiefs, also indicated that both countries expressed commitment in eliminating the rebels and to continue exchanging intelligence through Intelligence Fusion Cell and the Joint Planning Cell that was established in Kisangani.
The fusion cell was set up by the Sub-Commission on Defence and Security of the Tripartite Commission in 2004 as a forum of sharing intelligence on a regular basis, while the Joint Planning Cell is a forum for preparing for and coordinating military action with a view to facilitating common strategies against negative forces in the region
The two parties also agreed to maintain regular meetings so that they keep the operation on track.
Others who attended the meeting include 3rd Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Ceaser Kayizari, the Chief of Military Intelligence (J2), Brig. Gen. Jack Musemakweli, and other high ranking Rwandan officers.
Meanwhile, the military spokesman Maj. Jill Rutaremara said that the sixth meeting of the Chiefs of Defence/General Staff of Tripartite Plus Member States will take place in Kigali on Thursday, June 20.
The meeting will among other things evaluate the progress made by the Joint Planning Cell. It will be chaired by the RDF Chief of General Staff, Gen. James Kabarebe.
Like the Joint Intelligence Fusion Cell, the Joint Planning Cell is based in Kisangani, DRC.
Ends