Observers and members of the Joint Monitoring Group – Task Force level who  on Thursday attended a field visit to FDLR/RUD-Urunana military camp in Kasika, Lubero territory, DRC allegedly to witness the disarmament of the rebel group were left wondering what kind of game the Kinshasa authorities and the genocidal force are playing. 

In this sham disarmament exercise, the government of the DRC was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Mbusa Nyamwisi, the Second vice Minister of Home Affairs and Defence, President Kabila’s roving Ambassador, Seraphin Ngwej and the President’s special Envoy, Prof. Kaumba.

The EU, AU, MONUC, Rwanda, South Africa were all represented during this field visit. FDLR/RUD-Urunana leaders and combatants who attended this event include: Felecien Kanyamibwa,  Gerald Ntashamaje, Rafiki Hyacinthe (RUD-Urunana liaison officer in Kinshasa) and Col. Jean Damascene Ndibabaje alias  Musare.

It is regrettable to note that though MONUC had provided a helicopter over flying the area to guarantee security of JMG-TF delegates, the overall security remained in the hands of RUD-Urunana. 

During the alleged disarmament exercise, only 60 RUD-Urunana combatants , some dressed in civilian clothes and FARDC uniforms, were disarmed. only 47 light weapons (SMGs) and 02 machineguns were displayed.

In yet another drama, the disarmament exercise was conducted within the FDLR/RUD-Urunana defences, a clear indication that the disarmed fighters were left free to rejoin their fellow combatants.

The whole exercise was a media ploy for propaganda purposes, as the so-called demobilised combatants who ostensibly laid down their arms are still under the control of FDLR/RUD.

The exercise only took a short time and the representatives of the DRC government and MONUC immediately went into their helicopters and left for Goma and Kinshasa. Ultimately, the so-called laid down arms remained with the FDLR/RUD criminals, as they were not airlifted to Goma or destroyed in anyway.

In a speech given by Kanyamibwa and Musare, both heaped a lot of insult on the Kigali government and sounded less interested in repatriation back to Rwanda.

This position was reinforced by Minister Mbusa, who in his speech invited the FDLR/RUD to resettle in Beni, DRC.

One would wonder how Kanyamibwa, an extremist who controls FDLR/RUD who had recently objected to voluntary disarmament after the May, 2008 Kisangani meeting, would freely come to the FDLR/RUD combat zone.

Would it be pressure of possible sanctioning by UN Security Council and the USA where he is based and engages in terrorist organisation leadership and funding?  

It is worth noting that when the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda signed the Nairobi Joint Communiqué to address the unrelenting threats caused by armed groups in the eastern Congo starting with the notorious FDLR/RUD-Urunana, optimists started to believe that the too long awaited peace would soon resume.

Indeed, the establishment of the Joint Monitoring Group (both Task Force and Envoy Level) was to implement the Nairobi Joint Communiqué among other things. 

It is important to recall a similar drama regarding disarmament of FDLR in Kamina in 2002.

The world awaits concrete disarmament and repatriation of the FDLR for the Great Lakes region to enjoy the peace it deserves.

Ends