Rwanda wants FDLR declared terrorist group

By RNA reporter
November 02, 2009

Kigali: Government declared Monday to the UN that the international community needs to change the status of Rwandan rebels in Congo – FDLR - to a terrorist organization, as the United States called for “political measures” in addition to military force, RNA reports.

Foreign Affairs Minister Rosemary Museminali told the UN peacekeeping chief Alain Leroy that Rwanda has done its part, and “it is time” that more tougher measure are adopted.

“What we are asking is that these FDLR should not be taken as armed combatants but terrorists,” she told reporters after her meeting with Mr. Leroy. “When they are considered as terrorists, decisions to combat them may be taken much faster.”

Minister Museminali also expressed government’s dissatisfaction with continued inaction on the UN resolutions concerning the FDLR. She said sanctions on the group “must” be implemented.

Mr. Leroy, who was coming in from DRC said Rwanda its large neighbour have to maintain the changing mood as stability of the region depended on cooperation. The UN diplomat has halted all support to Congolese army units in the east accused of killing civilians in September.

Meanwhile, the US special advisor on the Great Lakes region Howard Wolpe said in South Africa that the joint UN-Congolese operation, had led to "unacceptable" killings, rape and displacement of civilians.

Mr. Wolpe told a press conference in Johannesburg, where he kicked off a regional tour, that measures must be taken to minimise the effects of the campaign on civilians.

"Some security objectives have been reached, but there are indications of thousands and thousands of civilians being killed or raped or displaced. This is unacceptable," he said, according to AFP.

"No one wants to turn down the efforts to get after the FDLR... but measures can be taken to minimize those casualties," said Wolpe, suggesting more patrols by the UN peacekeeping force.

He said eliminating the FDLR would happen "over time with continuation of military pressure" and added political measures. He also urged "more energetic efforts to go after the FDLR leadership who are in the EU or in the US."

For Mr. Wolpe, the “military card” will not solve the FDLR problem - suggesting that Kinshasa and Kigali governments should also encourage the repatriation of the FDLR to Rwanda or relocation to other parts of DR Congo.

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