Born in 1964 in Gasebeya Sector, Commune Gaseke, in the former Gisenyi province, General Omega fled to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after Habyarima's soldiers' defeat by the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA). He held the rank of Lieutenant at the time.
Innocent Tuyubahe, who served as General Omega's bodyguard from 2016 to 2022, returned to Rwanda nearly two years ago. He shared extensive insights with IGIHE about Omega's life in the forested regions of DRC.
Despite the DRC government's claims that FDLR fighters, especially its aging leaders, are no longer strong, Tuyubahe insists that Gen Omega is still a powerful figure.
A paranoid leader
Gen Omega is known for his reluctance to trust those around him, including his fellow rebels.
His distrust is so deep that he often takes measures such as secretly inspecting military facilities and monitoring his subordinates by seizing their phones to check their contacts, especially those with people in Rwanda.
'Omega, in his personal life, is a very distrustful person. Even those guarding him at his base aren't trusted. Nobody can be seen fraternizing with him. He often looks as though he's angry, restless, and always moving around. He's constantly checking, even taking our phones to investigate who we're communicating with,' explained Tuyubahe.
It is not uncommon for FDLR fighters to seek out phone numbers of their family members back in Rwanda to coordinate plans for potential return. Gen Omega has been known to impose severe punishments on anyone caught trying to make such contact, including transferring them to a distant base, subjecting them to severe beatings (between 200 and 300 lashes), or even execution.
"If you lived in the camp, he would immediately transfer you to another battalion, accusing you of being a traitor. He would send you away, ensuring you never cross paths with others. And you would be beaten, 200 to 300 lashes," Tuyubahe added.
Punishing alleged traitors
There was an instance when Tuyubahe himself was caught after talking to his sisters. Omega held an emergency meeting and interrogated him, demanding to know if his conversation involved any plans to return to Rwanda. Tuyubahe denied it, but Omega insisted on punishing him severely, ordering 300 lashes and seizing the phone he had used to communicate with his family.
As he said, Omega's leadership is characterized by brutal decision-making. If he suspects someone of betrayal, he might sentence them to death.
However, Tuyubahe says, he tries to avoid being directly implicated in their deaths, often ordering other soldiers to carry out executions, ensuring it appears as though the victim died in an ambush laid by local militias like the Nyatura or Mai Mai.
Omega's spiritual side
Tuyubahe described General Omega as a Catholic who regularly attends Mass. He also has a group of spiritual advisers, whom he consults for guidance about his future and the fate of the FDLR.
'Did you know that while we were in Paris (a camp in Rutshuru), he had a group of spiritual advisers, including Chantal and another woman named Francine? Their pastor, Mulume, had recently died before we left Paris,' he shared.
Tuyubahe also disclosed that FDLR fighters often hold religious services before going into battle, seeking divine approval. These prayers are typically held at night, between 3:00 a.m. and midnight. Once the prayers conclude, leaders assign tasks to the fighters based on their visions.
'These prophets are highly trusted, sometimes they have the power to either kill or save someone. If a prophet and a fighter have a dispute, the prophet can lie to Omega, accusing the fighter of being a traitor,' Tuyubahe explained.
Omega's refusal to return to Rwanda
Gen Omega has been approached several times by Rwandan officials, including the former State Minister for Foreign Affairs, General (Rtd) James Kabarebe, who urged him to return to Rwanda and join the process of national rebuilding, reassuring him that he would not face justice because he played no role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Despite these appeals, Omega has remained resolute in his refusal.
Gen (Rtd) Kabarebe reminded Omega that his military skills were being wasted and that if he returned to Rwanda, he would not be prosecuted for his involvement in the Genocide.
However, Omega responded firmly, stating that he would never return to Rwanda as long as the Tutsi were still alive there. In response, Kabarebe said that Omega would never step foot in Rwanda alive.
Tuyubahe recalled a conversation with Omega, during which he asked what would happen if he were captured. Omega replied, 'I would shoot myself,' showing his determination never to return to Rwanda alive.
Omega's escape plans
Whenever the FDLR camps are about to be attacked, Omega prepares to escape, ensuring his personal safety while leaving many of his fighters behind.
Tuyubahe described how, during operations, Omega would flee with only a handful of bodyguards, leaving the rest of the FDLR fighters to fend for themselves.
"During operations, when the enemy came to attack, Omega would take only about 12 of his guards, leaving the others to escape in smaller groups and regroup later," said Tuyubahe.
He went on to explain that during rare trips to visit the FDLR camps, Omega would address the fighters, motivating them and boosting morale. He would remind them not to be like those who ran away from battles, and ensure that they remained loyal to the cause.
When Tuyubahe last encountered Omega, he had no significant personal property, unlike Ruvugayimikore Protogene, also known as 'Colonel Ruhinda,' who owned farms.
Omega was often seen carrying a small bag with money, while other funds were stored by those responsible for managing finances within the FDLR. During Omega's time at the Paris camp, Lt Gen Byiringiro was stationed at the political headquarters in Kazaroho.
Tuyubahe noted that, despite both being key figures in the FDLR, these two leaders rarely interacted, even when they were both present at senior leadership meetings.
IGIHE
