Rwanda Accuses UN of Sabotaging FDLR Disarmament, Reports KT Press

KIGALI, Rwanda, Jan. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Credible information has emerged that the UN peacekeeping arm in DR Congo (MONUSCO) is sabotaging efforts to disarm FDLR rebels.

Sources in the Rwandan government told KT Press that MONUSCO is downplaying the process for the rebels to peacefully disarm.

FDLR was expected to voluntarily disarm before January 2, according to a UN resolution.

Regional leaders under the ICGLR and SADC had also agreed military action would apply if deadline is missed.

"I have credible information that over 10 top MONUSCO leaders asked to go on leave towards today's deadline [Jan, 2]," said Jean Sayinzoga, Chair of the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission.

KT Press has independently established that all top MONUSCO officials, including the UN special representative, Martin Kobler, are indeed on leave.

A source within MONUSCO, who requested not to be mentioned, said Kobler left office in December 2014, and is expected to return in the second week of January.

There was no arrangement or preparation to receive any rebels in case they appeared with their guns.

MONUSCO and Congolese armed forces are mandated with the enforcing the task, but until Friday evening, both forces had remained silent.

The DR Congo Spokesperson, Lambert Mende, could not be reached. The DR Congo Embassy in Kigali told KT Press they will only comment on Monday [this week].

Rwanda's Military Spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Joseph Nzabamwita, tweeted on Friday morning that after killing over a million people in Rwanda, FDLR continues to rape, kill and commit human rights abuses in DR Congo.

Hassan Bahame, the Mayor of Rubavu, the district bordering DR Congo, met with residents to offer them comfort. "Our security is tight as usual," Bahame told residents.

Rwanda is convinced the rebels are not willing to disarm. The US Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region Russ Feingold said recently that United States supports the use of military force.

"A military action must be undertaken to pressure the FDLR to lay down its arms," he said.

Meanwhile, regional leaders are expected to meet in Angola before the end of this month to discuss a final appropriate action since the rebels have adamantly refused to disarm.

But Gen. Nzabamwita said Rwanda has had enough and it's time for "military action now."

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SOURCE KT Press