FARDC spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Sylvain Ekenge Bomusa, on October 10, 2025, urged FDLR combatants to surrender either to the Congolese government or to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo (MONUSCO).
He stated that if FDLR fighters refuse to hand themselves over for repatriation to Rwanda, the Congolese army would use force to dismantle the group, in accordance with the Washington peace agreement signed in June.
However, during the third session of the Joint Security Cooperation Mechanism (JSCM) held in Washington, D.C., on October 21â€"22, the Rwandan and Congolese delegations, along with the United States and observers, confirmed that the FDLR had not yet begun disarmament. Despite this, Maj. Gen. Ekenge maintained that the process had already started.
In an interview with journalist Wendy Bashi from Deutsche Welle, Maj. Gen. Ekenge was asked about progress in removing the FDLR from Congolese territory. He responded: 'FDLR has followed the instructions of the Congolese army.'
He further stated that the group remains in territories controlled by AFC/M23 fighters in Rutshuru, North Kivu Province, claiming the coalition is preventing FDLR members from surrendering to FARDC or MONUSCO.
'They are being stopped by others from laying down their arms. Today, we must ask ourselves where FDLR is. They are in areas controlled by AFC/M23 in Rutshuru. They want to disarm, but they are being stopped from doing so,' said Maj. Gen. Ekenge.
When asked why AFC/M23 would prevent the FDLR from disarming, he said he did not know but emphasised that the Congolese army would continue awareness campaigns urging the group to surrender.
'We are doing what is required of us. We have conducted awareness campaigns within FDLR and continue to do so. I have personally urged them to lay down their weapons. Others should help us in this effort,' he added.
Under the Washington peace agreement, both Rwanda and the DRC agreed to exchange intelligence on the FDLR and its affiliated groups through the Joint Security Cooperation Mechanism. The framework includes sharing information about FDLR movements, strength, and the location of its fighters and weapons.
In July 2025, Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe revealed that some FDLR members had been integrated into the Congolese army and Wazalendo militias, a move Kigali described as a violation of peace commitments.
'All FDLR information is known to us, their locations and the units where they've been integrated. They cannot claim these people are missing. They've not only been absorbed into the army but also into the Wazalendo militias,' Amb. Nduhungirehe said.
Rwanda's Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) also identified 25 Rwandans linked to terrorist activities, noting that senior FDLR leaders were still operating in Walikale territory as of October 14, 2025.
Among those listed were FDLR President Gaston Iyamuremye, known as Lt. Gen. Byiringiro Victor, and military commander Pacifique Ntawunguka, known as Gen. Omega. Both were reportedly residing in the Buhaya area of Walikale.
IGIHE
