Rwanda dismisses calls for FDLR negotiations

By RNA Reporter
July 27, 2009

Kigali: Falling short of categorically dismissing the prospect of negotiations with Rwandan militias in DRC, President Kagame urged the International Crisis Group to consult Rwanda before it recommends talks with the rebels, RNA reports.

“When people start asking for talks with FDLR, I do not know what that means”, Mr. Kagame said while pounding his table. He added that the ICG recommendation for direct talks has “come too late” because many have surrendered.

President Kagame said if there are any rebels categorized as “moderates” then they would have surrendered and allowed to be repatriated to Rwanda “like the others” instead of continuing to “kill”.

“We have generals, colonels who have come back”, he said in reference to several former combatant officers including former FDLR commander Maj General Paul Rwarakabije and Brig. Jerome Ngengahimana. Both surrendered in 2003, a process that has led to the repatriation of up to 8000 rebels, according to the troubled UN mission in DRC.

Mr. Kagame told a press conference that those who are asking for talks have no other alternative to the problem. “Even when we were fighting the government which was murdering people they said we should negotiate”, Kagame said in reference to the Habyarimana government.

“If the ICG thinks talks are the best way to solve the problem, Madam tell them they should ask us what we think”, he told the Reuters journalist who has raised the issue.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kagame also said his forces remain ready “at short notice” to go back to eastern DRC to flash the rebels if asked by the Kinshasa government.

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