DR Congo launches campaign urging FDLR rebels to lay down arms
This week, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, through its army (FARDC), launched a campaign in the Walikale area aimed at encouraging the FDLR militia to lay down their arms.
This initiative is part of an agreement between the governments of Congo and Rwanda to restore security in eastern DRC and the wider region an accord that was mediated by the United States.
Reports indicate that radio broadcasts are being used to spread messages urging voluntary surrender, translated into various languages. Leaflets containing the same messages have also been distributed among the population to ensure the information reaches FDLR combatants.
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Major Dieudonné Kasereka, spokesperson for the 34th Military Region based in Walikale, said the time has come for peace to return to the area.
He stated: “This message concerns all factions of the FDLR. The time has come to put down your weapons and stop the bloodshed. All FDLR fighters must voluntarily surrender to MONUSCO so they can be repatriated to their country, Rwanda. We urge them to take advantage of the goodwill of the Congolese authorities and the DRC army.”
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Senior FARDC officials have been deployed to Walikale to coordinate the voluntary surrender process for FDLR members. The delegation, led by Lt. Col. Tassy, called on local churches in Walikale to participate in the campaign to ensure its success.
Under the current plan, fighters who surrender will have the option to choose a country of asylum to which MONUSCO will transfer them, if they do not wish to return to Rwanda. Once the campaign ends, those who refuse to comply will be forcibly repatriated by government forces.
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