Rwanda says it is not concerned by reported cracks emerging in the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) because it does not change the context or ideology of the Hutu rebel group.

It was reported this month that the rebel group which is based in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo had split into two following disagreements between the top commanders, leading to the formation of a new faction.

The new faction, known by its French name Conseil National pour le Renouveau et la Démocratie (CNRD), emerged after a rift between Victor Byiringiro and Wilson Irategeka.

According to Radio France International (RFI), the disagreements had been going on for months before the split. One side accuses the other of working with the United Nations, DR Congo and Rwanda.

Col Irategeka is accused of collaborating with authorities to declare members of the group as refugees and supporting the ongoing disarmament, repatriation and reintegration programme. Maj Gen Byiringiro on the other hand is blocking any attempts to repatriate the rebels and their families.

The Rwanda government says the group still harbours the genocide ideology despite the reported split. It accuses senior members of the group such as Sylvestre Mudacumura of committing genocide and crimes against humanity.

Rwanda has downplayed reports that DR Congo and UN forces were going to attack bases of the rebels if they do not surrender voluntarily.

Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Louise Mushikiwabo said the operations against FDLR resume every now and then but nothing is done.
“I think at this point let’s just wait and see what happens. I think a lot is said and very little is done about FDLR.

“Some countries particularly those in the UN Security Council are also responsible for peace and stability in our region and have just been playing politics,” said Ms Mushikiwabo.

She said that FDLR continues to enjoy support from powerful countries.

“I think the most important thing for Rwanda is to be prepared to protect our citizens and our territory,” she added. She said the reported split and continued reduction in the number of FDLR members in DR Congo shows that they are no longer a threat in terms of numbers but this does not change the ideology of the group.

“The report that the number of FDLR elements in DR Congo is declining from a few thousand to now 175 is still just politics,” said Ms Mushikiwabo.

“Clearly, the reorganising or splitting or internal disputes only proves that the FDLR is alive in the DR Congo,” said Ms Mushikiwabo.

READ: Kigali alleges ‘hidden agenda’ to protect FDLR

However, she said it is not the responsibility of DR Congo alone to deal with the FDLR, but that of other countries charged with handling this issue.
The group has been in the vast jungles of Eastern DR Congo for the past 20 years and are accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.