The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, has dismissed a “protocol” signed between DR Congo’s government and the FDLR militia, saying it does not change Kinshasa's obligation to dismantle the genocidal militia under the Washington Accords. ALSO READ: Details of Rwanda-DR Congo peace agreement signed in Washington The FDLR is an armed militia formed by remnants of the former Rwandan army and Interahamwe militia responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The Kinshasa-backed group has for decades been carrying out attacks against civilians, spreading genocidal ideology and working with elements of the Congolese security forces. ALSO READ: Former FDLR deputy president on how genocidal militia was formed Under the Washington Accords signed by Rwanda and DR Congo on December 4, 2025, the government agreed on the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) to neutralise the UN- and US-sanctioned militia that has been a threat on Rwanda’s security for more than a quarter century. Nduhungirehe’s remarks came after DR Congo’s Minister of Communication and Media and government spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya, announced on Tuesday, July 28, that the FDLR had signed a protocol on disarmament, demobilisation and cantonment “in accordance with the Washington agreements and the associated CONOPS.” ALSO READ: Kagame: Rwanda faces impossible choice to tolerate or defend against FDLR Muyaya described the development as “a major turning point” in addressing the FDLR issue, arguing that it was part of the implementation of the Washington agreements. Nduhungirehe said the arrangement was not provided for under the Washington Accords. “The signing of this so-called 'protocol' between the father (the Congolese government), the son (the FDLR), and the evil spirit (genocidal ideology) is in no way consistent with the Washington Agreements, which make no provision for it,” he wrote in a post on X on Wednesday, July 29. He said the FDLR is not among the parties to the Washington Accords. “The FDLR genocidaires are not a party to these Accordss; rather, they are the subject of them.” ALSO READ: Former FDLR ‘Colonel’ on how militia funds its operations The Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity reaffirm the commitment by Rwanda and DR Congo to implement the Peace Agreement signed on June 27, 2025, as well as the Declaration of Principles agreed on April 25, 2025. Under the peace agreement and its implementation framework, the Congolese government committed to cooperate in neutralising the FDLR in line with the agreed CONOPS and Operational Order (OPORD). Once those obligations are fulfilled, Rwanda is expected to lift its defensive measures. ALSO READ: Rwanda's defensive measures to remain 'until FDLR threat is gone' The accords also established a Joint Oversight Committee to monitor implementation and resolve disputes between the two governments. The framework makes no provision for the FDLR to become a party to the agreement. ALSO READ: Analysts tackle DR Congo’s mineral resources, FDLR, governance failures Nduhungirehe said the newly announced protocol amounted to an attempt by Kinshasa to avoid implementing its obligations under the Washington Accords. “This is, therefore, a crude manipulation by Kinshasa and its cronies, a stalling tactic by the DRC to try to wriggle out of its primary security obligation, which, according to the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and the Operational Order (OPORD), was to be fulfilled within a 90-day period.” He also accused the Congolese government of moving in the opposite direction since the Washington Accords were signed. “Since the signing of the Washington Agreements on December 4, 2025, the Kinshasa government has not only intensified its military support for the FDLR, a large portion of which is, in fact, integrated into its army, but has also accelerated the political organization of this genocidal movement.” ALSO READ: Inside FDLR’s frontline base 3km from Rwanda border Nduhungirehe alleged that Kinshasa had enlisted politicians linked to Rwanda’s former regime who are based in Europe, such as Jean-Luc Habyarimana, son of former President Juvenal Habyarimana, Fabien Singaye, Thomas Nahimana and Thadée Kwitonda. He dismissed the protocol as having no significance to the implementation of the Washington Accords. “The media posturing of this malevolent trinity is a non-event.”
