FDLR leaders’ trial should be expedited

Yesterday, the trial of the two most senior leaders within the hierarchy of the terrorist group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), began in the German city of Stuttgart Ignace Murwanashyaka and Straton Musonera, the FDLR president and vice president respectively, will go on trial, almost two years after they were arrested. It is of great importance, that these men are tried as soon as possible to ensure justice for the victims of the heinous atrocities that have been perpetrated by this militia group for the last 17 years. Successful prosecution of the terrorist masterminds would deal a major blow to the attempts by the FDLR and its allies, to infiltrate Rwanda as they have been doing through isolated grenade attacks that have killed and injured innocent Rwandans. The trial of these men will complement the achievements attained two years ago by a joint offensive mounted against the FDLR by Congolese forces alongside their Rwandan counterparts. This offensive left the militia group seriously and thousands of their fighters, including senior commanders have since laid down their arms, surrendered and returned to Rwanda. In the same vein, the trial of the group’s Secretary General, Callixte Mbarushimana should start at the International Criminal Court, where he is in custody, because as the adage goes, ‘justice delayed is justice denied’. Ends

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FDLR leaders’ trial should be expedited