FDLR Sows Fear In Congo And Great Lakes Region
Amid progress in ousting and demobilizing the M23 militants in Democratic Republic of Congo, another armed group named FDLR has started to bring instability in the African country.
In her remarks at a UN Security Council Debate on the Democratic Republic of the Congo in New York, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Samantha Power said significant obstacles continue to stand in the way of peace in the Great Lakes region in the presence of FDLR.
“The greatest threat is posed by the FDLR, whose members continue to carry out serious human rights violations across DRC.” – Ms. Power
FDLR Militants Sow Fear in Congo
According to Ms. Power, earlier this year, FDLR abducted at least 60 civilians in Walikale territory.
The militant group also continued to forcibly recruit children. These abuses fuel more inter-communal violence, displacement, and fear, and foster a climate in which new armed groups are likely to emerge.
Ms. Power highlighted that the longer FDLR militants remain at-large, the greater the risk to all that has been achieved up to now.
In addition, Ms. Power emphasized that FDLR leadership must be held accountable for their crimes, beginning with Sylvestre Mudacumura, who was charged by the International Criminal Court on nine counts of war crimes, including murder, mutilation, torture, and rape.
“He should immediately be handed over.” – Ms. Power
