DRC owes FDLR militia $150,000 in unpaid dues

These are some of the ID documents found on FDLR rebels who were involved in a failed attack into Rwanda on 27^th November 2012 

Rwandan FDLR rebels have informed the government of DR Congo that unless prior commitments are cleared including a debt owed to them for “services” provided, the cooperation between them is at stake, according to the Rwanda News Agency (RNA).

For years, reports have indicated that the Kinshasa government provides clandestine support to the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). But this latest revelation gives a rare glimpse into a complicated and often confrontational relationship between the militia group and Kinshasa. The current relationship dates back to the year 2000, according to secret communication material obtained by RNA.

The general idea of this militia group – whose members are wanted in Rwanda for genocide, has been around since 1994. The FDLR, in its current form, was however born in May 2000 in the jungles of eastern Congo. The group came as God-sent manna as the government of President Laurent Desire Kabila helped them regroup, and immediately opened a long-term working arrangement that has lasted up to today.

The militia group was called on by Kabila senior to fight his wars – and in exchange he paid them cash, provided them vast corridors so they can operate under the radar, as well as direct military hardware. And when current President Joseph Kabila took over from his father, the deals signed have remained binding, despite him having his own.

Unpaid arrears

The Rwanda News Agency (RNA) says it has obtained a 7-page ultimatum prepared on January 31^st, 2013, by the FDLR second-in-command addressed to the Kinshasa government in which the militia group sends a note of appreciation, but also reminds President Kabila of prior unsettled debts. The document was prepared and signed by “General” Stanislas Nzeyimana aka General Deogratias Bigaruka Izabayo. It is actually signed under the name non de guerre “General Deogratias” and written in French.

The ultimatum clearly points out that unless these demands (termed in French as “revendication”) are fulfilled, future collaboration will be difficult to maintain as the rebels will not have faith in any more promises. The ultimatum outlines six issues, but points out that these are only “some of them”.

Top on the list is unpaid arrears amounting to US$150,000 (Rwf 96million), which was supposed to be payment for “FDLR combatants who fought alongside the Congolese armed forces” (FARDC). These arrears date back to 2001 when the Kinshasa government was battling rebels in the east of the country, reported RNA.

For starters, Kabila senior was assassinated in January 2001, and was immediately replaced by his son. President Joseph Kabila continued battling the Congolese Liberation Movement (MLC) rebels with support from the FDLR. In December 2002, Joseph Kabila was forced to the negotiating table. But from the FDLR ultimatum, it seems the human cost was massive for them. FDLR wants compensation for all its combatants who died on the battlefield.

The second demand reads as: “Compensation for families of the FDLR combatants who died on the battlefield, estimated to be about 2,000”. In other words, “General Deogratias” was reminding the Kinshasa government that the families of those who perished during the wars have to be compensated.

Constant contact necessary

In the ultimatum document, “General Deogratias” also reminds President Kabila that these and other arrears were raised in March 2011 during a meeting which would become the “Ntoto Accord”. Ntoto is an FDLR controlled-area in eastern Congo where the militia group met with Congolese government officials.

To keep their relationship undetected, Kinshasa sends its emissaries to find the rebels in their jungle hideouts. Kinshasa also provides cover when rebel commanders need to travel. Kinshasa has also availed corridors through which the rebels operate under cover of the FARDC.

High profile meetings are numerous. For example, between May and July 2012 alone, Kinshasa officials met with FDLR commanders 17 times at different locations. RNA has published details about these encounters (See http://www.rnanews.com/regional/6704-exclusive-meetings-between-senior-congo-officers-with-fdlr-commanders-)

6,000 combatants on training

The operating corridor provided by Kinshasa has allowed the FDLR to train as part of preparations for what the interahamwe militias say will be an offensive against Rwanda. Actually, in the ultimatum document from “General Deogratias”, demand number six asks the Kinshasa government to annul all agreements with the Government of Rwanda.

The militia group has used the vast space to arm and train. Specific case of reference, it emerged in a classified UN document (CLA-MP-94/12-12 dated December 17, 2012) that the militia outfit is preparing a 6,000-strong force for an offensive against Rwanda.

The document read in part: “Reliable sources (humanitarian workers) has reported to MONUSCO’s component on 16^th Dec 12 about the presence of 4000 FDLR cadres at Kazibake…, Groupement of Bashali Mokoto, Localité Lukweti/Ndurumo.”

In addition to these new 4,000 mobilized troops, this UN document says FDLR already has another 2,000 “previously located at Nganga (HQ of the FDLR president and supreme commander), Mumo, Hembe, Nyagisozi,  Macumbi…”