In July 1994, after the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) halted the Genocide against the Tutsi, over two million refugees, including Juvenal Habyarimana's former government forces, fled to the then Zaire (currently DRC), entering through Goma and Bukavu.
These forces, upon crossing the border, regrouped with the intention of resuming the Genocide against the Tutsi. Later, the FDLR, formerly known as ALIR, emerged as a powerful force, with insurgents launching frequent attacks on Rwanda.
In an interview with Top Congo FM while seeking medical treatment in Belgium, Tshisekedi ignored these facts, instead claiming that Zaire rescued Rwanda from an impending calamity.
"DRC, by the time it held the name of Zaire, saved Rwanda from a very intensive catastrophe which would happen if we hadn't opened borders to an influx of refugees,' he said.
Tshisekedi acknowledged that among these refugees were genocidaires who entered Congo armed, but he downplayed the impact, saying, 'Unfortunately, there has been international blindness which allowed Genocide perpetrators to be among refugees and enter our territory with their weapons. They were not disarmed. Today, the burden has shifted from Rwanda to us, affecting our citizens.'
Ignoring the truth
Tshisekedi overlooked the fact that other countries also received refugees but handled the situation differently from Zaire. For instance, Tanzania disarmed those entering its territory in late April 1994. Tanzania, which was mediating between Rwanda and the RPF-Inkotanyi, arrested several high-ranking officials suspected of having played a role in the Genocide.
One notable example is Jean Baptiste Gatete, who was initially released due to protests from the Interahamwe he led but was later banned from residing in the country and fled to Zaire. Gatete was eventually arrested by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and sentenced to life imprisonment.
A widely circulated photo on the internet shows a pile of machetes confiscated at the Rwanda-Tanzania border, highlighting the stringent measures Tanzania took compared to Zaire, where genocidaires found a safe haven.
Sources indicate that Zaire's decision to harbor genocidaires was well-informed, as they were supporters of President Habyarimana, who was a close friend of Mobutu, referring to each other as 'Elder brother' and 'Best friend.'
Refusal to negotiate with M23
Commenting on possibility for negotiations with M23 rebel group, Tshisekedi declared, 'Listen to me well! As long as I am President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, I will never sit down with representatives of M23 or AFC for negotiations. I only want to talk with Rwanda for negotiations.'
'If I want to talk with Rwanda, it's to ask them what their problem is so they can leave us in peace. If they think there's an issue on our side, we'll resolve it. They mentioned the FDLR, and today we are in Luanda discussing how to cease hostilities and resolve the FDLR issue,' he elaborated.
However, Tshisekedi's claims about resolving the FDLR issue ring hollow. For over 30 years, instead of disarming the FDLR, the Congolese government has increasingly collaborated with them.
Currently, the FDLR is integrated with the Congolese military in the fight against M23, with their fighters receiving uniforms, salaries, weapons, and other supplies.
Tshisekedi has often downplayed the FDLR's existence, at times claiming they no longer pose a threat, while simultaneously collaborating with them.
Analysts argue that resolving the FDLR issue requires Tshisekedi's government to genuinely dissociate from this group, which continues to foster insecurity and propagate genocidal ideology in the region.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/tshisekedi-claims-zaire-saved-rwanda-ignores-havoc-caused
