Who are behind resurgence of FDLR?

FDLR is a rebel outfit comprised of remnant masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.

A report of experts on DRC security situation presented to the United Nations (UN) Security Council on 10th June 2022 indicates that FDLR-FOCA continues to carry out its activities in Virunga National Park where it has launched a campaign to recruit new members and reinforcing cooperation with armed groups in the country.

“Even though it was seriously weakened for the past ten years following military offensives and the death of top commanders, FDLR-FOCA continues recruitment of new combatants and training to many local armed groups,” reads the report in part.

For the past years, many people were kidnapped and taken into Virunga National Park.

Reports reveal that FDLR-FOCA is mostly behind such abductions as a rebel group with dominance in the forest.

In February 2021; Italian Ambassador to DRC, Luca Attanasio was shot dead as he headed to Rutshuru to visit World Food Programme (WFP)’s activities.

Attackers also killed his guard, Vittorio Lacovacci and their driver, Mustapha Milambo.

At the time, DRC Government released a statement confirming that FDLR fighters ambushed a motorcade of World Food Programme (WFP) and took passengers including Italian Ambassador into the Virunga National Park and killed them.

“Witnesses revealed that all attacks occur in few meters from bases of FARDC,” adds the report.

This evidences how the government stands by and watches the attacks happening.

During the ongoing fighting between M23 rebel group and Congolese Army (FARDC), Rwanda has been accusing the latter of working with FDLR.

Of recent, the Congolese Army in collaboration with FDLR kidnapped two Rwandan soldiers on patrol and shelled Rwandan territory three times. The projectiles destroyed houses and injured civilians.

{{Who are commanders of FDLR?}}

The report shows that the leadership of FDLR-FOCA did not undergo many reforms since 2020.

Lieutenant General, Gaston Iyamuremye, alias Rumuli or Victor Byiringiro is the current President of FDLR-FOCA replacing Ignace Murwanashyaka who died in Germany in 2019.

Meanwhile, General Pacifique Ntawunguka alias Omega is the party’s military wing following the death of former leader Gen Sylvestre Mudacumura.

Ntawunguka also renowned as Colonel Omega, Nzeri and Israel; was born in Gisenyi on 1st January 1964.

In 2016; Gen James Kabarebe, Senior Presidential Adviser on security matters reminisced on his phone conversation with Gen Ntawunguka.

Gen Kabarebe said that he asked Ntawunguka to return home and join Rwandans to build the nation given that he is not suspected to have had role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi because he was undergoing military training in France at the time.

As Gen Kabarebe revealed at the time, Ntawunguka replied that he would only return to Rwanda when no Tutsi was present in the country.

Gen Ntawunguka is deputized by Gen Jean-Baptiste Gakwerere alias Julius Mkobo, Sobo Stany or Kolomboka.

Apart from top commanders, the report indicates that Curé Ngoma oversees political affairs in the party while General Apollinaire Hakizimana alias Amikwe Lepic or Poète based in FDLR/FOCA’s base known as Mozambique next to Kibirizi serves as Defense commissioner.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Aimé Gustave Omega, located in Birambizo is the head of intelligence.

He assumed the duties after Ignace Nkaka Alias LaForge Fils Bazeye, the former spokesperson of FDLR and Nsekanabo Jean Pierre alias Abega, former head of intelligence FDLR were arrested and deported to Rwanda to face justice.

The High Court Special Chamber for International and Cross-border crimes convicted them of terrorism charges and handed them 10-year jail term.

As the report shows; two ex-FDLR combatants, three civil society sources and two researchers confirmed that “Colonel” Ruvugayimikore Protogène, alias Ruhinda, and his deputy known as “Silencieux”, lead the FOCA command special unit known as Commando de recherche et d’action en profondeur (CRAP).

“Colonel” Ruhinda also oversaw the training of FDLR-FOCA combatants.