The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has denied any involvement in the return of 39 Congolese nationals from Rwanda, rejecting claims that it participated in the transfer of individuals who had been presented as former fighters of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
Rwanda’s Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) announced on July 29 that it had transferred the 39 Congolese nationals to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after determining that they had falsely claimed to be former FDLR combatants.
In a statement issued on July 30, MONUSCO said it was not present during the transfer and played no role in the process.
“MONUSCO confirms that it was not present when these individuals were transferred to the DRC and had no involvement whatsoever in this repatriation process,” the mission said.
MONUSCO explained that before any individual is considered for repatriation, they undergo a thorough, multi-stage screening process to determine whether they qualify for the programme.
Those who meet the required criteria are placed on a list of eligible individuals and referred to Rwanda’s Demobilization and Reintegration Commission, which makes the final decision on their transfer.
The mission further stated that its DDRRR programme supports only the voluntary disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, reintegration and resettlement of foreign armed group members and their dependants, in line with the mandate granted by the United Nations Security Council.
The 39 individuals were received in eastern DRC by the AFC/M23 movement through its spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka.
Kanyuka accused the Congolese government, in collaboration with MONUSCO, of recruiting civilians and paying them to claim they were former FDLR fighters before sending them to Rwanda through the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programme.
He alleged that Kinshasa and MONUSCO were carrying out the operation to support what he described as false narratives that FDLR fighters were being repatriated to Rwanda.
RDRC said it will continue working with regional and international partners to promote accountability, strengthen cooperation among countries in the region, and support lasting peace.
