DRC fires senior military officers accused of collaboration with Rwanda

Sacked soldiers include Lt Col Kibibi Mutware, Major Sido Bizimungu alias America, Major Aruna Bovic and Major Mundande Kitambala.

Radio Okapi has reported that the decision taken on 26th May 2022 was announced via DRC’s national broadcaster, RTNC on 2nd June 2022.

Tension between Rwanda and DRC has been escalating following the latter’s accusations that Rwanda supports M23 rebel group in clashes with Congolese Army (FARDC).

Rwanda has categorically rejected these allegations noting that they are ‘baseless’.

Meanwhile, Rwanda accuses DRC of working with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a rebel outfit comprised of remnant masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.

The rebel group is based in eastern part of DRC where it continues terrorist activities and plans to destabilize Rwanda.

The collaboration saw FARDC and FDLR recently shelling projectiles on Rwandan territory which injured citizens and destroyed houses.

Towards the end of last week, Congolese Army and FDLR were also reported to have kidnapped two Rwandan soldiers who were on patrol.