A member of the terrorist group FDLR has been captured in eastern DR Congo in the latest blow to the Kinshasa-backed militia whose leaders were sanctioned by the Rwandan government this month. Reports of the capture of Yoweri alias Tokyo first circulated on Friday, October 24. ALSO READ: Impunity for FDLR crimes, genocide ideology drive DR Congo crisis, says Rwandan envoy The militiaman was captured by AFC/M23 forces in Masisi, North Kivu, according to Willy Manzi, the vice governor of the rebel-controlled province. Another notorious combatant has been captured, marking a significant loss for Kinshasa, Manzi wrote in a post on X, along with a video of the militiaman being paraded to locals. ALSO READ: Inside FDLR’s frontline base 3km from Rwanda border Tokyo is a man of great cruelty. Alongside others such as Jean-Marie of Nyatura, Tiger, and Ignace Dunia, he was responsible for horrific acts including rape, murder, and the burning of countless homes. His capture represents one of the most significant blows to the FDLR leadership. The fighter is said to come from Kibuye, Karongi District in Western Province. The UN- and US-sanctioned FLDR, which was founded by remnants of perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, has been active in eastern DR Congo for a quarter century. It is a successor to other groups, such as ALIR. ALSO READ: Rwanda sanctions 25 over terrorism: who are they? On October 15, the Rwandan government announced a list of sanctioned individuals, including FDLR leaders. These are Lt Gen Gaston Iyamuremye, the president of the FDLR, alias Victor Byiringiro, and Maj Gen Pacifique ‘Omega’ Ntawunguka, the commander of the FDLR-FOCA. ALSO READ: Dealing with sanctioned people could land you in prison: Here is what to avoid The militia fights alongside the Congolese army in the war with the AFC/M23 rebels, who now control swathes of territory in North and South Kivu, including the provincial capitals, Goma and Bukavu. Rwanda has for years called for the disarmament of the FDLR and an end to DR Congo support to the militia whose attacks have killed Rwandan civilians. ALSO READ: Former FDLR deputy president on how genocidal militia was formed One of its latest attacks killed at least 14 civilians in Kinigi, Musanze District in 2019. The group is also infamous for driving hate speech and ethnic violence against Congolese Tutsi communities. In June this year, Rwanda and DR Congo agreed to dismantle the militia in a peace deal brokered by the US government. However, in early September, the two governments noted that the implementation of the deal remains slow. ALSO READ: Rwanda, DR Congo renew pledge to peace at Washington talks Rwandan and Congolese officials met earlier this week in Washington DC, where they renewed their commitment to the peace agreement. The agreement's main provisions include the neutralisation of the FDLR and the lifting of Rwandan defensive measures.
