In a surprise move, the Kinshasa government on Tuesday issued a statement directed at the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) restricting them against making any contact with militias affiliated to the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). Through a televised message, the FARDC spokesperson, in what he called a zero tolerance policy, promised that they will “vigorously deal with” any officer who will violate this new directive. It is important to note that since last year, the Congolese government has flip-flopped whenever it came to the FDLR, a militia group predominantly composed of Rwandan fugitives who committed the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. At one point, senior Congolese officials were saying that FDLR were “a spent force” which did not pose any threat to Rwanda, and therefore should be left alone. ALSO READ: Anger as Congolese minister Muyaya absolves FDLR terrorists However, when they were confronted with facts including UN reports affirming their collaboration with the genocidal group, the Congolese government responded by openly working with the militia group, through a formal coalition. ALSO READ Inside the secret DR Congo-FDLR pact Despite being designated as a terror group by the United States, FDLR militia have been armed to the teeth and deployed to fight alongside the Congolese government forces in their ongoing fight against M23. For context, this militia group’s raison d’etre is to continue nurturing the genocide ideology, which they exported to DR Congo, mainly in the eastern part. Here they have for close to three decades, terrorized citizens mainly of the Tutsi tribe. The same group has launched subversive attacks on Rwandan territory targeting civilians which led to deaths and have been on record with their agenda to return to Rwanda to complete their unfinished agenda, of annihilating the Tutsi population. ALSO READ: Situation in eastern DR Congo a major human rights challenge – Biruta Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has also been open about entering into an alliance with anyone who wishes to violently remove the Kigali government, which then makes suspect the sudden change of narrative on the part of the neighbouring country. While the sincerity of the latest development is questionable, it is worth giving the Kinshasa regime the benefit of doubt in the interest of peace not just of their country but also the entire region. It can only be hoped that they live up to the directive. ALSO READ: DR Congo crisis: Understanding FDLR’s source of funding The next step should be disarming them and to subject them to an already existing mechanism of sending them back to Rwanda. In the same vein, the Kinshasa should stick to the regional roadmap on restoration of peace in their country, especially by engaging in meaningful and sincere dialogue with all armed groups, including the M23 to find a lasting solution. Finally, it will not be the United States, nor the United Nations or mercenaries from Eastern Europe or FDLR who will fix DR Congo. The buck stops with Congolese themselves.
