“UMOJA WETU” SHOULD NOT BE THE END OF OPERATIONS AGAINST FDLR

The Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) has begun to withdraw from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo after weeks of joint operations with the Congolese army against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). It is apparent that the operation has scored tremendous success and the two national armies have managed to rout many elements of the FDLR. It was reported that the rebel military chief is on the run and his forces in disarray. Though the RDF has started to withdraw, it is important that the operations against the FDLR continue until the genocidal rebel group is defeated once and for all. Moreover, should there be a complete departure of the joint forces from the villages they have captured from the FDLR; there is a high likelihood of a backlash against the civilian population by the genocidal militia.