The kidnapping of three International Red Cross staff in the Democratic Republic of Congo by suspected Rwandan rebels has triggered fears that the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) are regrouping.

The rebels, mainly made up of Hutu elements Rwanda accuses of committing crimes during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, have in recent days resumed attacks, with the Rwandan army reportedly on the alert to prevent possible attacks.

The three employees of the humanitarian agency were abducted Tuesday morning in North Kivu Province on the way to Kyaghala Village in Eastern DRC where they were going to distribute food and essential items to over 8,000 people displaced by conflict.

“We strongly deplore the kidnapping and we will strive to ensure that our colleagues can return to their families as soon as possible. We call on the kidnappers to release them immediately, unharmed, and to facilitate their return,” said Alessandra Menegon, head of the ICRC delegation in the country.

“For 38 years we have worked in DRC providing humanitarian assistance to victims of armed conflict. Such acts constitute a breach of security of humanitarian actors and deprive sustainably already severely affected populations the assistance they desperately need,” Menegon added.

According to reports, Red Cross staff were distributing relief items to people displaced in November by fighting between rebel groups operating in Eastern DRC, including FDLR, and government forces.

Following the attacks, Red Cross suspended its activities in North Kivu as it is reported that FDLR rebels have resumed activities in the area, as they reportedly seek to create new bases near the Rwandan border.

The kidnappings follow alleged FDLR rebel attack on Rwanda territory in March. An Armed man wearing DR Congo military uniform was killed on the Rwandan territory during an alleged attack on a Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) base located at Nyiramugweri hill in Bugeshi Sector, Rubavu District.

RDF said that over a dozen armed elements dressed in DRC army uniforms, attacked its base in the night and shot at the RDF soldiers, which prompted the latter to retaliate. Sporadic gunfire was heard in the area for close to an hour.

Kigali later said that it suspected the attackers were members of FDLR dressed in DRC army fatigues. Rwanda and DRC continue to experience uneasy relations for close to two decades over the presence of the Hutu-rebel force.

In April, Rwanda denied reports that its military forces ventured into DRC in a covert operation to allegedly dismantle cells of FDLR rebels after DRC claimed that the Rwandan army entered its territory.

Monusco-owned Radio Okapi reported that DRC army had confirmed that hundreds of Rwandan soldiers were seen on Congolese soil on April 16, more than 30km inside DRC.

The UN station, quoting the spokesperson of the 34th Battalion of the DRC government forces, known by the acronym FARDC, Capt. Guillaue Ndjike Kaiko, reported that Rwanda forces entered DRC in an alleged hunt for FDLR rebel elements.

The Rwandan Military and Defence Deputy Spokesperson Lt Col Rene Ngendahimana dismissed reports that the Rwanda military was in DRC.

“The reports are false. The Rwandan army did not enter DRC. That is something that everyone would have noticed if our forces went to DRC. But if they feel there is some truth to such claims, they should ask the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism to investigate.”

Repulsed

During the clandestine operation, RDF soldiers reportedly destroyed a suspected rebel camp in a primary school in Buhumba, 31km inside DRC before they retreated to Rwanda.

Capt Kaiko told Radio Okapi that the Rwanda forces were repulsed, forcing them to return home.

“We contained the Rwandan army at a certain level so that it cannot move deeper. They eventually retreated but we will ask the EJVM to investigate the matter before the next course of action is decided,” he told the radio.

In a similar development, reports this week indicate that DRC arrested a senior FDLR commander Brig. Gen Leopord Mujyambere, on Wednesday and transferred him to the capital Kinshasa. The development was confirmed by Information Minister Lambert Mende.

The rebel commander linked to FOCA, an armed wing of FDLR, will be questioned in relation to alleged crimes committed by the rebel group over the years.

The Rwandan government has over the years accused the international community and the DRC government of failing to address the issue of FDLR, whose senior members are accused of taking part in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.