Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have made a commitment to work towards drafting a peace agreement by May 2. However, the trust between the two nations remains fragile due to the presence of militia groups in the region.
One of the main sources of tension is the presence of the FDLR, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, a group founded by Hutu extremists in the early 2000s. Rwanda views the FDLR as a direct threat to its national security and continues to push for their dismantlement. On the other hand, Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, who have been carrying out attacks in eastern DRC and causing significant loss of life since January.
In an effort to address the FDLR issue, Rwanda has been working on reintegrating former fighters into society. FRANCE 24’s correspondent in Rwanda, Juliette Montilly, recently visited one of the country’s “Demobilisation and Reintegration Centres” where she had the opportunity to speak with ex-militiamen.
The situation in the region remains complex, with both countries needing to find common ground in order to achieve lasting peace. The drafting of a peace agreement by May 2 is a positive step forward, but there is still much work to be done in order to build trust and ensure the stability of the region.
