The group was detained in the eastern region of the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), an area largely controlled by the M23 rebels, who have been operating in the region for several years.

The Rwandan army announced that the M23 rebel group handed over 14 FDLR fighters, including Brigadier General Gakwerere, a figure accused of involvement in the mass killings of Tutsis during the 1994 genocide. Reports from local media suggest that Gakwerere has been on Rwanda’s wanted list for his alleged role in the atrocities.

Photographs taken during the handover showed the captured fighters in new military uniforms, emblazoned with the Congolese flag, raising concerns over the involvement of the Congolese army with the FDLR. The United Nations has previously raised alarms about possible links between the FDLR and the Congolese military, which has been accused of cooperating with the group in the past.

The presence of the FDLR near Rwanda’s border has been a longstanding concern for Kigali, which has repeatedly stated that the group poses a threat to its national security. This, Rwanda claims, is the main justification for its military operations in eastern DRC. However, the Congolese government has countered, accusing Rwanda of using the situation as a pretext to seize control of valuable mineral-rich territories in the region.

In a statement, a Spokesperson for the Rwandan Defence Forces said, "We will continue to take necessary actions to protect our citizens from these groups that seek to destabilise the region."

--ChannelAfrica--