The arrests of a prominent musician, a journalist and several local leaders in different parts of Rwanda over the past one week have rekindled fears that the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) — a DR Congo-based rebel group linked to the 1994 genocide — could be regaining a presence inside the country.

Rwanda National Police said Thursday they had arrested six more local leaders in the north of the country in connection to links with FDLR. Police said the six, who are executive secretaries of different sectors in Musanze district, were working with the rebel group. 

The arrests of Faustin Muganijimana, a lands officer in Musanze district, Amiel Ndahiro, Jean Marie Nduwayezu, Francois Kanaburenge and two more local leaders who were reported missing have triggered fears that FDLR could be re-infiltrating parts of Rwanda, particularly those neighbouring DRC.

Alfred Nsengimana, the executive secretary of Cyuve sector in Northern Province, is also in detention and has also been charged with working with FDLR. Several local leaders have also been arrested in the western district of Rubavu.

According to the director of Criminal Investigations Department Theos Badege, police are aware of a “big network” inside the country working with FDLR and Rwanda National Congress (RNC), an opposition group formed by exiled former government officials. 

READ: Unease in Kigali as opposition ties up with FDLR

Mr Badege, who was speaking during the parading of Kizito Mihigo, a prominent musician and Cassien Ntamuhanga, a director of a local radio station and two other people accused of planning grenade attacks inside the country, claimed that FDLR and RNC are now recruiting inside the country.

READ: The shocking tale of Kizito Mihigo

“It’s a big group. We are aware of their activities and each one of them will be arrested and brought before the courts of law,” said Mr Badege.

Kigali has since 2010 accused FDLR and the RNC of carrying out grenade attacks inside Rwanda but seems not to have been unduly concerned mainly because the militia group, which has been inside DRC since 1994, was considered weak.

But going by the recent developments, it appears FDLR’s strength cannot be underestimated.

Security sources said that if indeed it is true that FDLR is recruiting local government leaders at the grassroots, chances are it could have a spill over effect on the ordinary citizens they lead.

An emergency security meeting convened in Musanze district on April 17 by security organs and district authorities warned local leaders against collaborating with subversive groups intent on threatening state security. 

The mayor of the district, Winfried Mpembyemungu, who earlier this year survived a grenade attack on her home, warned that whoever is involved in these activities will be apprehended and charged in court. 

The district has suffered a series of grenade attacks recently, which have been linked to FDLR.