Rwanda troops withdraw from Congo
Rwanda’s foreign minister says the joint operation “seriously weakened” the FDLR rebels but a BBC correspondent says civilians paid a heavy price.
The rebel presence in DR Congo lies behind years of conflict in the region.
Some of the FDLR leaders are accused of taking part in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, before they fled to DR Congo.
Rwanda has twice invaded its larger neighbour, saying it must take action against the mainly Hutu forces.
But in January, the two countries agreed to take joint action against the FDLR.
The Rwandan forces also arrested Congolese Tutsi rebel leader Laurent Nkunda – a bitter enemy of the Congolese authorities.
Military trucks followed by some 1,500 Rwandan troops on foot crossed the border just before 1200 GMT, reports the AFP news agency.
More than 3,000 Rwandans entered DR Congo in January. Officials say they will all leave by the end of this week.
“You can’t say the problem has been resolved. But they [FDLR] have been seriously weakened; their strength considerably reduced,” Rwandan Foreign Minister Rosemary Museminali told state radio on Wednesday, reports the AFP news agency.
“If the Congolese troops continue the operation, we don’t doubt they will achieve their goal” of annihilating the FDLR, she said.
Retaliation
Lt Col John Numbi, in charge of the joint operation, said nearly 90 Hutu rebels had been killed since the sweep began – but the BBC East Africa correspondent Karen Allen says civilians have paid a heavy price.
Some 32 people were killed by FDLR militias – apparently in retaliation for the joint military push.
Continue Reading At The BBC
For related news, visit our Human Rights Channel for Change.
Photo: Julien Harneis/Flickr
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