The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, is actively working to strengthen his relationship with Rwandan genocide suspects in order to jointly wage war against Rwanda.
Last year, Tshisekedi openly declared his intention to support anyone aiming to remove the Rwandan government led by President Paul Kagame.
Tshisekedi has met several times with opponents of the Rwandan government, including FDLR leaders, promising them assistance. He is now fulfilling his promise. Tshisekedi’s plan involves integrating these genocide suspects into the FDLR, a terrorist group that receives weapons and other support. The FDLR, now working with Tshisekedi’s army, the FARDC, hopes to overthrow the Rwandan government, aligning with the long-standing goal of the genocide suspects.
A secret document dated July 26, signed by Tshisekedi’s Chief of Staff, Anthony Nkinzo Kamole, reveals that Tshisekedi has been negotiating with the Niger government to send six Rwandans to the DRC.
These Rwandans were being monitored by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Arusha. Some were released after serving their sentences for their role in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, while others were acquitted.
The Rwandans in question are Sagahutu Innocent, Nzuwonemeye François Xavier, Mugiraneza Prosper, Nteziryayo Alphonse, Ntagerura André, and Zigiranyirazo Protais. They were key figures in the government of Habyarimana that orchestrated the genocide.
Anonymous sources have confirmed that Tshisekedi sent a special envoy, Ali Illiassou Dicko, to Niger to request the transfer of these Rwandans to the DRC.
One source stated, “Since July, talks between Tshisekedi’s envoy and Niger’s government have continued to ensure these individuals are sent.”
The UN Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) reported that on July 15, the Prime Minister of Niger met with Dicko and Kadidiatou Hamadou, the lawyer representing the Rwandans. On August 14, these individuals discussed their case with Tshisekedi’s envoy.
Despite some being acquitted or released by the UN tribunal, many of these individuals remain involved in anti-Rwanda activities, showing no remorse or change, and seem unaffected by the consequences of their genocide crimes.
Tshisekedi’s plan to integrate these suspects into the FDLR is aimed at furthering the group’s long-term goal of destabilizing Rwanda. For instance, Sagahutu, formerly a Captain in the Ex-FAR, tried to join the FDLR in 2017 after being released from prison in 2014. In March 2024, Sagahutu attempted to enter the DRC using false names and a passport from Burkina Faso, planning to lead the FDLR. His attempt was interrupted when this information became public.
Sagahutu has publicly called for the overthrow of the Rwandan government and has expressed his intent to join armed groups targeting Rwanda.
By sheltering these genocide suspects and supporting the FDLR, Tshisekedi is not only threatening regional security but also destabilizing his own country, where genocide ideology continues to spread, particularly targeting Tutsi Congolese who speak Kinyarwanda.
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