Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva has raised concerns about the continued role of Burundian forces and FDLR militia in eastern DR Congo, saying these remain major obstacles to lasting peace in the region. Speaking during a right of reply at the United Nations Human Rights Council on June 17, Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa, rejected accusations made by Burundi and DR Congo during an interactive dialogue on the annual report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. ALSO READ: No peace without FDLR neutralization, Rwandan envoy tells UN Security Council “More than 10,000 Burundian soldiers are deployed alongside the FARDC (Congolese army), FDLR, Wazalendo, and foreign mercenaries engaged by Kinshasa,” Bakuramutsa said. “Field reports have documented serious abuses committed by Burundian forces against civilians, including sexual violence, arbitrary detention, and other grave violations,” the envoy said. She also reiterated Rwanda's longstanding security concerns about the FDLR, a Kinshasa-backed militia formed by remnants of perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. “Despite clear guidance from the United Nations Security Council calling for the neutralization of the FDLR, and commitments made under the Washington Peace Agreements, the FDLR continues to be armed, coordinated, and integrated into the Congolese armed forces.” she said. “Several reports demonstrate that the DR Congo also cooperates with several militias, notably the Wazalendo and CODECO.” She dismissed false allegations by Burundi and DR Congo against Rwanda’s involvement in the conflict arguing that they do not reflect the remarks made by the High Commissioner during his oral presentation on the volatile situation in eastern DR Congo. The envoy said Rwanda rejects attempts to turn discussions at the UN Human Rights Council into “a platform for accusations.” ALSO READ: Two killed, seven injured in attacks blamed on DR Congo, Burundi forces Rwanda maintains that the conflict in eastern DR Congo cannot be resolved without addressing its root causes, including the presence of the FDLR and other armed groups operating in the region. ALSO READ: How Burundian troops in South Kivu sparked a distinct humanitarian crisis amid DR Congo’s wider war Rwandan officials have repeatedly argued that there can be no sustainable peace without the effective neutralisation of the FDLR and the implementation of commitments made under regional and international peace initiatives. Bakuramutsa said the Congolese government cannot claim to be pursuing peace while continuing to arm, coordinate and work with militias and armed groups that fuel insecurity and prolong civilian suffering. “The priority for eastern DR Congo and for the Great Lakes region is to build lasting peace through the implementation of peace agreements, and not through military solutions or accusations that do not withstand scrutiny of the facts,” she said. She reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to ongoing regional peace processes aimed at achieving lasting stability in the Great Lakes region.
