One such returnee is Martin Irakoze, a 26-year-old man, who was born and raised in the DRC's forests, where his parents fled in 1994 from Rwanda.
Life was difficult for Irakoze, his family, and other Rwandan refugees. Although he managed to complete his secondary education, his dreams were cut short when he was forcibly recruited into the FDLR at a young age.
Irakoze returned to Rwanda and is undergoing reintegration training with others who have left the DRC forests at the Mutobo Demobilization and Reintegration Center, overseen by the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC).
IGIHE recently visited the 72nd cohort of former armed group members. We met with the group shortly after they completed a training session on Rwandan values.
The center currently accommodates former combatants, their family members, and civilians who had collaborated with them. Despite initial apprehensions, many individuals gradually become more comfortable over time.
Irakoze recounted how, after finishing high school, FDLR combatants came to their village in Ngungu, forcefully recruiting all boys who had attended school, including himself.
'They taught us military drills, and in 2019, after completing the training, we were told we were fighting to return to Rwanda and overthrow its current government,' he said.
Irakoze stated that the FDLR continues to spread genocide ideology and recruit new members, primarily youth, without hindrance, as the DRC government and its military, FARDC, treat the FDLR as a strategic partner.
This account is corroborated by other returnees like Jean Damascene Rwangabo and Emmanuel Muhire, who are also part of the 72nd cohort at Mutobo.
Muhire, who joined the FDLR as a child and later became a Sergeant Major in another armed group, APE-SEREN, described the long-standing cooperation between the FDLR and FARDC. He also served as a military instructor prior to his repatriation to Rwanda.
During the CNDP conflict, he explained, FARDC provided FDLR with weapons, ammunition, and medical supplies that he personally used in those battles.
'This means that even today, the situation hasn't changed much; the FDLR remains at the forefront. It seems like they are the leading soldiers who need Congo's assistance to return home. Now, it's not just the FDLR; all groups in Congo that are connected to people who speak Kinyarwanda are being told they must return to their country,' he said.
'Congo is assisting the FDLR by providing them with equipment, money, medicine, food, and military clothing. This helps them continue fighting with hope for additional support to launch attacks on Rwanda,' added Muhire.
He further disclosed that FARDC promises FDLR support to return after helping it win its battles.
Rwangabo, who has also fought many battles since joining the FDLR shortly after fleeing Rwanda in 1994 at the age of 10, debunked claims by the DRC government that the FDLR is no longer a threat.
'I can attest that the FDLR is still active, spreading genocide ideology and planning to attack Rwanda. Claims that it is defunct are political fabrications,' he asserted.
He further explained that during recent M23 conflicts, FARDC regrouped various armed factions, with the FDLR playing a leading role fighting alongside Wazalendo.
'FDLR leads the charge in battles, supported by FARDC which supplies them with necessary resources,' he said.
Rwangabo highlighted that FDLR's strength lies in FARDC's backing, and while FARDC supplies weapons, FDLR retains half, fearing potential successful negotiations with M23 that might be followed by operations to decimate armed groups.
The testimonies of Irakoze, Muhire, and Rwangabo challenge misconceptions and reveal the harsh realities faced by those in the FDLR. They debunk rumors spread by the FDLR to deter repatriation, affirming they were warmly welcomed in Rwanda and are now hopeful for the future.
Major (Rtd) Cyprien Mudeyi, the head of Mutobo Center, stated that since its inception in 2001, the center has reintegrated 13,000 ex-combatants through 71 cohorts.
Mudeyi emphasized the center's role in promoting peace and security by helping former combatants reintegrate into civilian life, providing vocational training to ensure sustainable livelihoods.
However, he noted that regional peace efforts face challenges due to the reluctance of some neighboring countries to dismantle armed groups like the FDLR.
'Achieving peace requires collaborative efforts with neighboring countries to eliminate these armed groups and reintegrate their members,' he concluded.
IGIHE
