Neutralising FDLR absolutely essential, US official tells DR Congo

DR Congo's government has to honour its commitment to the neutralisation of the FDLR under the Washington Accords, says US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. Sarah Troutman said this on Thursday, January 22, as she appeared before the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee for the hearing titled, Advancing Peace in DRC and Rwanda through President Trump’s Washington Accords. ALSO READ: Full text of Washington Accords signed by Kagame, Tshisekedi The neutralisation of the Kinshasa-backed FDLR terror group is a key pillar of the US-brokered agreements signed by Rwandan and DR Congo Presidents on December 4. The group founded by remnants of perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi has operated on Congolese soil for three decades, enjoying state support and launched cross border attacks on Rwanda. Rwanda has for years called for the disarmament of the genocidal militia, which currently fights alongside the Congolese army in the war with AFC/M23 rebel movement. The FDLR is a legitimate threat. We are certainly not denying that. They cannot be allowed to operate in eastern [DR Congo], Troutman told members of the House Subcommittee. We are certainly emphasizing to the [Congolese] government that neutralising the FDLR, as they have committed under these agreements, is absolutely essential and we need to see more steps taken to do that. ALSO READ: US senator: Rwanda-DR Congo peace accords were 'almost an impossible dream' The issue of the FDLR had been raised by the House Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith. We know that both sides agree that the FDLR is a problem. Now, who benefits from the status quo? Smith asked. Negotiated over more than five months under US mediation, the Washington Accords have laid the path to peace in eastern DR Congo and the Great Lakes Region. They are aimed at addressing root causes of the conflict in eastern DR Congo and promote regional stability and economic integration by allowing US investments in DR Congo and Rwanda. We will ensure that the promises made in Washington are kept, that the peace process delivers real results so that the people of the region see tangible improvements in their lives, and that the conditions for increased U.S. investment are realized, said Troutman. Transparency and accountability are central at every stage, and those who threaten peace will be held responsible.

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Neutralising FDLR absolutely essential, US official tells DR Congo