No FDLR Combatants Have Returned to Rwanda, FDLR Sources Say

by AfroAmerica Network on January 9, 2013

Sources close to FDLR say that no FDLR combatants have returned to Rwanda, contrary to statements by Rwandan officials.
According to officials from the Ministry of Disaster and Refugee Affairs, especially Frederic Ntawukuriryayo, the communications officer and
the Chairperson of the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), John Sayinzoga, members of the Rwandan rebels of the FDLR have started to repatriate massively since Friday January 5, 2013.
According to the Rwandan officials, on Sunday, January 6, 2013 127 former Rwandan rebels crossed the border of Rusizi into Cyangugu. The officials added that an additional 120 crossed into Rwanda on Monday January 7, 2013.

“It is all lies,” affirmed the sources. “Those repatriating to Rwanda are Rwandan Defense Forces that were infiltrated within Conbgolese Mai-Mai Raia Mutomboki. Now that both Raia Mutomboki and M23 rebels, proxy militias created by Rwandan Defense Forces are losing the battle, the Rwandan Defense Forces are returning home and they are using the FDLR to cover up the operation,” said the sources.

Asked about the movements of FDLR Colonels Jobs and Nicolas and more than 3,500 troops observed in Bihari, Kalehe, Bunyakiri, Kashehi, Kitumba-Ninja and Luyuyu, as stated by the traditional chief of Luhago and MONUSCO officials on January 2, 2013, the FDLR sources confirmed the movements of their troops in that area. The FDLR sources told AfroAmerica Network that these troops seen by the Chief of Luhago and MONUSCO were deploying from Bunyakiri to other areas through Walungu.

The large movement had prompted MONUSCO and the UNHCR to ready refugees sites in DRC and inside Rwanda, with a planned flow of about 300 combatants accompanied by their dependents a day. The planned massive influx has failed to materialize.

After advertising the massive return of FDLR combatants, Rwandan government officials from the Ministry of Disaster and Refugee Affairs have since expressed the frustration of seeing fewer than expected.

Meanwhile, the FDLR sources continue to affirm that no FDLR combattant has returned to Rwanda since January 1, 2013 and the alleged returnees can only be Rwandan Defense Forces soldiers who had been infiltrated into Raia Mutomboki and M23 Rebels.