James Karuhanga
24 June 2009
Kigali — Alliance des Patriotes pour un Congo Libre et Souverain (APCLS), a militia faction formerly aligned to the Mai-Mai fighters of the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is said to joined forces with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) also known as ex-FAR / Interahamwe.
Most Mai-Mai fighters were earlier integrated into the Congolese National Army (FARDC) but this faction recently pulled out of the alliance and is stirring more trouble in DRC's unstable east.
"The main problem is that they don't agree with the programme of integration, which is the main reason why there is conflict between them and FARDC. Like many other rebel groups, the problem is about issues such as ranks, and pay," said Lt. Col. Jean-Paul Dietrich Chief Military Spokesperson for the UN mission in DRC - MONUC.
Dietrich noted that although discussions for integration into FARDC were still ongoing, APCLS combatants and FARDC clashed several times recently.
"Since last week, MONUC has been facilitating direct talks between FARDC and APCLS to ease tension in the area, and pursue the planned integration process for the APCLS."
According to Dietrich, APCLS had already gathered 300 combatants in Masisi territory to be escorted for integration but they are still not confident to leave the area arguing that army units in the area are mainly made of former CNDP troops.
"At the same time, some FARDC local commanders launched small operations against APCLS arguing that the ultimatum given to the APCLS chief SS/Colonel Janvier for integration has expired."
In subsequent emails to The New Times yesterday, Dietrich admitted the looming danger.
"If the integration does not work, it is possible that some of their elements may cooperate with FDLR. As well, their have been some links between these groups in the past," he noted.
Even though Dietrich on Tuesday said that calm had returned since the beginning of the week, he highlighted that there have been more clashes in several DRC regions recently, with some firing by the FDLR in South Kivu. MONUC patrols also found burnt houses but no casualties.
"Seven women who were going to a market were allegedly kidnapped by the FDLR in a forest," he adds, referring to another incident last Sunday.
DRC Soldiers have been the latest victims of FDLR's cruelty with some of their soldiers, including, reportedly, a major and a captain, being ambushed and killed last week.
About six other Congolese soldiers were killed in a separate attack.
The rebels are said to have erected several barriers, preventing locals from fleeing their villages and even cutting off river passages.
The FDLR are remnants of the masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda which cost the lives of over one million people.
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