James Karuhanga
24 June 2009
Kigali — Alliance des Patriotes pour un Congo Libre et Souverain (APCLS), a militia faction formerly aligned to the Mai-Mai fighters of the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is said to joined forces with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) also known as ex-FAR / Interahamwe.
Most Mai-Mai fighters were earlier integrated into the Congolese National Army (FARDC) but this faction recently pulled out of the alliance and is stirring more trouble in DRC's unstable east.
"The main problem is that they don't agree with the programme of integration, which is the main reason why there is conflict between them and FARDC. Like many other rebel groups, the problem is about issues such as ranks, and pay," said Lt. Col. Jean-Paul Dietrich Chief Military Spokesperson for the UN mission in DRC - MONUC.
Dietrich noted that although discussions for integration into FARDC were still ongoing, APCLS combatants and FARDC clashed several times recently.
"Since last week, MONUC has been facilitating direct talks between FARDC and APCLS to ease tension in the area, and pursue the planned integration process for the APCLS."
According to Dietrich, APCLS had already gathered 300 combatants in Masisi territory to be escorted for integration but they are still not confident to leave the area arguing that army units in the area are mainly made of former CNDP troops.
"At the same time, some FARDC local commanders launched small operations against APCLS arguing that the ultimatum given to the APCLS chief SS/Colonel Janvier for integration has expired."
In subsequent emails to The New Times yesterday, Dietrich admitted the looming danger.
"If the integration does not work, it is possible that some of their elements may cooperate with FDLR. As well, their have been some links between these groups in the past," he noted.
Even though Dietrich on Tuesday said that calm had returned since the beginning of the week, he highlighted that there have been more clashes in several DRC regions recently, with some firing by the FDLR in South Kivu. MONUC patrols also found burnt houses but no casualties.
"Seven women who were going to a market were allegedly kidnapped by the FDLR in a forest," he adds, referring to another incident last Sunday.
DRC Soldiers have been the latest victims of FDLR's cruelty with some of their soldiers, including, reportedly, a major and a captain, being ambushed and killed last week.
About six other Congolese soldiers were killed in a separate attack.
The rebels are said to have erected several barriers, preventing locals from fleeing their villages and even cutting off river passages.
The FDLR are remnants of the masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda which cost the lives of over one million people.
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FDLR have legitimate reasons to stay in the bush as long as power is one sided in Rwanda and the government doesn't want to share it !
Why do we keep on creating unnecessary and endless wars? We look but we dont see!!! The FDLR have been operating in DRC since 1996, they were living with the Cogolese people in a good atmosphere. Their intention is to go back in their country; why is the government of Rwanda refusing to co-operate with them??
I think if we look at it from the bottom of the matter, the government of Rwanda wants to eliminate all of its opponents: they dont want the dialogue or power sharing without which the Great lakes will remain troubled. I find that the FDLR have many understandable reasons of remaining in the bush. Many of their former members who returned in Rwanda; they have been put in jail, e.g General Seraphin Bizimungu ( sentenced for life prison)..... So, the mission of MONUC was to protect cilians, but they are now engaging to hunt FDLR, they don't care of civilians' live! It has never happened anywhere in World where any militia group or rebellion was desarmed by force!!!!! And I don't think it will happen for the First time in DRC. And I think there will never be Justice as long as RPF soldiers are not yet brought to Justice. Where do they have fear to go to Justice if they are innocent!!! I think previleging war against FDLR is non sense and is also being too blind to see or learn from the past! Look how the Peace process went on in Burundi or in DRC itself!