Confusion arises over number of FDLR combatants repatriated

Repatriated FDLR fighters undergoing re-integration at Mutobo camp

A contradiction has emerged on reports of the exact number of FDLR combatants being repatriated to Rwanda by the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and those given by Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC).

According to MONUSCO, about 31 combatants from different rebel groups operating in DRC were received in January, among them 19 FDLR fighters.

However, the available information shows that exact number of FDLR fighters reported to have been repatriated to Rwanda remains contrary to what MONUSCO provides.

In a press conference held on February 5, 2014, MONUSCO leadership told the media that 29 combatants from different rebel groups surrendered last month.

MONUSCO further said that among the rebels surrendered were 2 from Mayi-Mayi Nyatura, 4 from Mayi-Mayi Rahiya Mutomboki; 17 from FDLR, 5 from Mayi-Mayi Nziza and another fighter from APCLS rebel group. In addition to the above FDLR fighters were also two other fighters captured on February 1 in Minova on February 1.

MONUSCO added that all fighters who surrendered were operating in areas of Sake, Otobora, Kiwanja, Tongo, Nyanzale and Lubero and Kashebere.

Among the FDLR fighters who MONUSCO says surrendered, only 9 fighters were handed over to Rwanda on February 6, including one Mayi-Mayi fighter, leaving behind the question of where the remaining number of FDLR fighters branched.

In an interview with Kigali Today news website, a section of FDLR combatants who were repatriated to Rwanda said that there was no other fighter left in a transit camp where they were temporarily sheltered before coming to Rwanda. This information raises questions of where other 9 FDLR fighters could have vanished to.

MONUSCO-RDRC reports contradicting

While MONUSCO reports that it has reintegrated 1 2, 310 FDLR combatants and 11, 312 families since 2002, reports from Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) on numbers of former FDLR combatants repatriated is different.

According to Mutobo-based reintegration camp in Musanze District, Northern Province, the number of former FDLR combatants who laid down their weapons with the help of Monusco and returned home is only 11,000.

According to sources at Mutobo, all fighters who surrender to MONUSCO do not only belong to FDLR faction. There are other people who surrender on FDL ticket yet they are not. As well as other Congolese nationals who fake their Rwandan origin to profit opportunities given to Rwandans returning home.

Combatants blame MONUSCO’s disarmament strategy

According to members of FDLR faction, the way MONUSCO handles their weapons and ammunition is not productive.

“Though different groups decide to surrender and handover weapons to MONUSCO, they later (MONUSCO) send them (weapons) to FARDC who are their major customers for weapons and ammunition. FADRC soldiers are the ones who sell us weapons. This system by MONUSCO is not productive,” said a former FDLR combatant.

One of the FDLR-RUD repatriated fighters commanded by Gen. Musare who operates in Walikare said they that there has been ongoing trade of weapons and ammunitions between different rebel groups and Congolese National Army (FARDC).

“They (FARDC) sold weapons and ammunition to us (FDLR) two times. This trade is always carried out secretly between them and many rebel groups operating in DRC. The main players in this game are members of FDLR who are integrated in FARDC.

This illegal trade of weapons is mostly dominant in the areas of Ruhafu where FDLR-RUD recruitment is carried out by Col.Jean Michel and Col. Rugema who are Gen. Musare’s deputy commanders,”  said the fighter.

FDLR is a group of insurgents, largely made up of perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and has been in eastern DRC for the last 15 years.