U.S. welcomes DRC's call for FDLR to disarm and surrender #rwanda #RwOT

U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos said on Saturday that Washington supports the DRC's 'decisive step' to implement the accord, calling it crucial for 'facilitating repatriation, restoring state authority, and strengthening stability across the Great Lakes region.'

DRC military issues disarmament order

In a communiqué issued on October 10, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) directed all FDLR factions operating on Congolese territory to immediately lay down their arms and surrender to Congolese authorities or to the UN mission, MONUSCO, for repatriation to Rwanda.

The statement, signed by Major General Ekenge Bomusa Efomi Sylvain, said the order follows the operational directive adopted on October 1 by the Joint Supervisory Committee overseeing the implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement, which was mediated by the United States.

The FARDC also urged civilians living in areas under FDLR influence to cut all ties with the rebel group and to encourage its members to surrender peacefully. It warned that any refusal to comply would lead to forced disarmament 'by coercion or use of force' in accordance with the Washington accord.

The Congolese army further warned its personnel that collaboration of any kind with the FDLR is strictly prohibited, noting that any soldier found aiding or coordinating with the group would face 'severe disciplinary sanctions.'

'The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo exhort the FDLR to facilitate the ongoing peace process by surrendering without violence or bloodshed,' the statement concluded.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Rwanda signed the Washington Peace Agreement on June 27, 2025, under U.S. mediation.

Under the deal, Kinshasa committed to dismantling the FDLR, a militia formed by elements responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Kigali has long raised concerns that the group's continued presence and cooperation with the Congolese army pose a persistent security threat to Rwanda and regional stability.

The implementation of the Washington Pact has faced setbacks in recent months, with Rwanda accusing President Félix Tshisekedi's administration of lacking good faith in its execution. It remains to be seen whether the FDLR, which is deeply entrenched within some government forces, will finally be dismantled, potentially easing long-standing tensions between Rwanda and the DRC.