RWANDAN Special Forces returned home over the weekend after their joint operations with the Congolese army FARDC came to an end.The Joint operations were against the Forces Democratic pour la Liberation du Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist militia comprised of perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, with bases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).The 357 Rwanda soldiers were operating in concert with 357 other Congolese counterparts – FARDC, under a Joint DRC-Rwanda Special Forces Battalion based in the Rutshuru territory of DRC’s North Kivu province. Rutshuru is located about 70 kilometres north of North Kivu’s Provincial Capital, Goma.Showing no signs of fatigue despite marching for over 100 kilometres since Friday evening, the 357 soldiers [two companies] arrived home through the Kabuhanga border post, in Mutovu cell, Bugeshi sector of Rubavu district, at exactly 15:53pm.Addressing the troops, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Charles Kayonga, saluted their service, telling them that they had accomplished their mission to the satisfaction of the Commander-in-Chief, the RDF leadership and the nation.He told the returning troops that it was necessary that they return home because of the current changes in the conflict engulfing eastern DRC, especially with the FARDC whom they were jointly operating with now fighting the M23, with the latter overrunning the area of operations of the Joint Special Forces Battalion in Rutchuru.Gen. Kayonga said: "The theatre of operations has changed and it was not possible for you to remain there given the circumstances. We are in touch with the Congolese authorities so that when things normalize, you could possibly go back to assist the FARDC and stabilise the region.”Elated border residents came out in droves to welcome the troops. The gallant troops were also welcomed by senior RDF officers, including Army Chief of Staff [Land forces], Maj. Gen. Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, theSecond Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Alex Kagame, Brigade Commander Special Forces, Brig. Gen. Vincent Gatama, the Third Division Commander, Brig. Gen. Emmy Ruvusha, [Rubavu] and Army and Defence Spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Joseph Nzabamwita.Foreign Military dignitaries present were top Congolese army officials, including Brig. Gen. Bauma Lucian Ambamba, the FARDC’s 8th military region commander Col. Jean Claude Yav, deputy J2 of FARDC; in addition to US and Ugandan military attachés accredited to Rwanda.Brig. Gen. Nzabamwita told reporters that the 357 Rwandan troops accomplished "a successful mission” since their deployment, early this year.The Military spokesperson emphasized that since the beginning of the joint operations – Umoja Wetu – in 2009, Eastern DRC had become stable. Asked about the challenges after the withdraw, especially with the continued presence of the FDLR militia, Brig. Gen. Nzabamwita said, "we leave that to the DRC government, but Rwanda was committed to working under the framework of ICGLR until the situation normalises to warrant a return to bilateral operations.”The troops embarked on the lengthy, winding and torturing trek through harsh jungle, the previous night, with all their bulky weapons and equipment. They crossed the border fully clad in FARDC fatigues but soon after changed into the RDF uniform, as their Congolese counterparts took back their uniform.The Special Forces in eastern DRC were operating under an earlier agreement with Kinshasa in which the Congolese regular army – FARDC, and the RDF continued joint specialised operations to wipe out FDLR militia.