Editor, THIS IS in reference to the article, “Who will hold FARDC responsible for their exactions?” (The New Times, June 14). We should all be proud of Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) and the leadership. They deserve our gratitude, love and respect for their highest levels of professionalism under all manner of provocation and aggression from enemies of Rwanda and their accomplices. Act decisively and responsibly in all your onerous responsibilities to protect us as you have always done, and more so a couple of days ago. Bravo! When dealing with such more irresponsible people and so-called sovereign “army”, there is no prior need to follow the usual protocol of a civilised world. Especially when you have to deal with some biased and corrupt Monusco-FIB and others. I could not imagine that such immoral and evil things could happen. On the other hand, every thinking human being knows they thrive on conflicts and wars they provoke and sustain. Andrew, Rwanda *********************** IT IS only by the extreme stretch of meaning that this rabble of unprofessional outfit can be called an army. Unfortunately, the thorough criminal nature of this outfit is but a reflection of the wider institutionalised corruption in Congo. Soldiers, like everyone else in the DRC outside a small coterie of the ruling class, have to fend for themselves and their families, ensuring their livelihoods through illicit activities. To people like these, the neighbouring Rwandan villages with their relative prosperity and peace are too much of a magnet. We cannot expect much help from Kinshasa. Nor can we count on Monusco-FIB to shield us from the attempted predations of the so-called Congolese army, given the UN “peacekeeping” operation’s own vested interest in continued chaos in the DRC to justify indefinite extensions of their lucrative mandate. Rwanda is on its own concerning the DRC problem. Our defences facing the DRC must be strengthened and the Rwanda Defence Forces must remain fully alert to attempts to infiltrate our country, whether it is by the Congolese “military” or by their FDLR allies. Mwene Kalinda, Rwanda *********************** You cannot eradicate rabies without killing the dog. If it were during King Kigeri IV Rwabugiri’s reign, a punitive expedition would be carried out and a severe and swift punishment meted. Thank God modern state does not work that way. The Congolese may continue to behave like spoilt kids but the international community is also to blame for keeping quiet. Monusco is also to blame for allowing the FDLR to mingle with FARDC freely. Kennedy Maridadi
