In a February 16, 2025, interview with France24, Guterres stated that the conflict should not be considered a regional war, as both the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have agreed on ceasefire measures, including the dismantling of FDLR.
'The first and most important step is to dismantle FDLR… then find a solution with M23. I believe in a key principle: foreign armed groups must leave Congo, and Congolese citizens must find a way to coexist peacefully without relying on ethnic divisions,' he said.
For over 30 years, Interahamwe militia and former Rwanda government soldiers who fled to the Congolese forests after committing atrocities during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, have reorganized with the intent to launch attacks on Rwanda.
These groups, including ALIR (which later became FDLR), have played a significant role in spreading genocidal ideology in eastern DRC. Since then, Tutsis in the region have faced killings, destruction of property, and mass displacement.
UN reports have repeatedly confirmed that FDLR has been integrated into FARDC, provided with weapons, and trained by the Congolese army in coordination with President Tshisekedi's government to attack Rwanda. EAC and SADC leaders have agreed on measures to eliminate FDLR. However, recent events raise questions about DRC's commitment to this goal.
President Tshisekedi's wife, Denise Nyakeru, was recently seen visiting wounded soldiers in a hospital, including FDLR fighters, casting doubt on the Congolese government's intentions.
Currently, the M23 rebel group, which fights for the rights of Tutsis and Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in DRC, has been dominating headlines. The group continues to defeat a coalition of FARDC, FDLR, Wazalendo, Burundian troops, European mercenaries, and SADC forces.
Meanwhile, at a special UN Security Council meeting on January 26, 2025, Rwanda's Ambassador to the UN, Ernest Rwamucyo, accused MONUSCO of collaborating with FDLR instead of eliminating it.
'MONUSCO supports FDLR, a UN-sanctioned terrorist group, alongside European mercenaries, violating the 1989 UN agreements. This is unacceptable. MONUSCO is engaging in a conflict it should be neutral in. It must focus on protecting civilians, particularly the displaced, rather than fighting alongside FARDC's coalition,' Rwamucyo stated.
Although Guterres did not directly address MONUSCO's role, he emphasized that following the resolutions by EAC and SADC leaders, diplomatic efforts should be prioritized to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.
'There is still much diplomatic work to be done to ensure peace in eastern Congo. However, the primary objective must be to uphold the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo,' he added.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, the Congolese government remains adamant that it will not negotiate with M23 and continues to focus on international propaganda and military confrontation.
IGIHE
