As the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to seek ways to address the issue of the FDLR, information from parts of North Kivu indicates that the group continues to be present in areas including Virunga National Park and Masisi. For Rwanda, the FDLR is a major national security concern, while Kinshasa says the issue should be addressed through disarming the fighters and returning them to civilian life. This difference continues to be one of the major issues between Kinshasa and Kigali.
FDLR again becomes a major diplomatic issue
The issue of the FDLR armed group has once again taken a prominent place in talks aimed at finding peace in eastern Congo.
Although the conflict in the region has multiple causes, the FDLR issue remains one of the main points of contention between Kinshasa and Kigali.
Rwanda has for years called for the group to be removed from Congolese territory, arguing that its presence near the Rwandan border could threaten the country’s security.
Kinshasa, meanwhile, says the FDLR issue can be resolved peacefully. It has therefore prioritised a programme encouraging its fighters to lay down their weapons, be disarmed and withdrawn from military activities before being integrated into a programme aimed at returning them to civilian life.
Anzuluni seeks regional support for Kinshasa
As part of efforts to seek support from countries in the region, Minister Floribert Anzuluni has in recent days been conducting diplomatic visits.
On October 5, 2026, Anzuluni met Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in Entebbe and delivered a message from Congolese President FĂ©lix Tshisekedi.
Their discussions included security in eastern Congo, the peace process and ways of resolving the FDLR issue.
Anzuluni also briefed Museveni on the steps Kinshasa has taken as part of its programme encouraging FDLR fighters to lay down their weapons.
This shows that Kinshasa wants the FDLR issue to be addressed through dialogue, regional cooperation and a programme to return fighters to civilian life.
The Washington agreement and the FDLR issue
Under the Washington agreement between Congo and Rwanda, the FDLR issue is one of the key matters that must be addressed for the peace process to move forward.
The agreement refers to the âneutralisationâ of the FDLR, meaning the removal of the group’s ability to continue carrying out military activities that could threaten security.
The plan also refers to CONOPS, short for Concept of Operations. This is a document setting out how planned operations are expected to be conducted.
There is also OPORD, or Operational Order, which refers to specific instructions governing an operation once the plan reaches the implementation stage.
It is important to distinguish these documents from the military operation itself. The existence of a CONOPS or an OPORD does not in itself mean that a military operation has begun.
Kinshasa prioritises voluntary disarmament
Kinshasa has said it is implementing a programme encouraging FDLR fighters to voluntarily surrender and lay down their weapons.
Minister Anzuluni said the programme was part of efforts to fulfil the commitments Congo had made in the peace process.
But the question remains whether the programme will be able to permanently remove the FDLR’s ability to fight again.
Kigali is seeking evidence that fighters who surrender their weapons will not rebuild a military organisation.
The issue, therefore, is not simply about laying down weapons. It is also necessary to establish where the fighters are, how they will be disarmed, where they will be taken and how it will be monitored that they do not take up arms again.
FDLR reappears in Virunga areas
While Kinshasa continues its programme to disarm the FDLR, security information indicates that the group has reappeared in some areas of Rutshuru and near Virunga National Park.
A UN experts’ report published in 2025 indicated that fighting between AFC/M23 and Rwandan forces on one side, and the FDLR and its allies on the other, had affected the group’s activities.
The report said some FDLR leaders and fighters had moved to areas including Nyiragongo and Virunga.
Among those leaders was Gen. Pacifique Ntawunguka, also known as Omega.
Virunga is largely made up of forests and high mountains, making it possible for armed groups to hide and move to other areas relatively easily.
FDLR positions in Kazaroho, Paris and Bwiza
Information from areas of Rutshuru indicates that the FDLR has reappeared in areas where it had previously operated, before AFC/M23 captured Goma. The areas mentioned include Kazaroho, Paris and Bwiza.
Kazaroho has been described as an area where some FDLR leaders operated, while Paris has also been reported as an area where the group maintained positions. In Bwiza, there have been reports of activities by CRAP, an FDLR special unit.
Masisi is also one of the areas where the FDLR has carried out significant activities. In 2026, there have been reports that the military academy led by Maj. Gen. Mandevu has returned to Rutangara, in Masisi. The location was reportedly home to the FDLR’s military academy and administrative offices, as well as an academy preparing non-commissioned officers, known as ESSO, led by Brig. Gen. Matovu.
These reports indicate that the FDLR has a structure that goes beyond being a group of fighters operating in the forests.
The continued existence of military training schools and administrative structures remains an obstacle to efforts to dismantle the group’s capabilities.
FARDC and FDLR cooperation against AFC/M23
Relations between the FARDC and the FDLR are another issue that continues to generate controversy.
UN experts’ reports have referred to cooperation between some FDLR fighters and Congolese government forces in certain areas of the conflict.
There have also been reports that FDLR fighters have worked alongside the FARDC and other pro-government armed groups in fighting AFC/M23.
This has led Kigali to remain concerned about the way the FDLR issue is being addressed.
There have been allegations that the FARDC continues to provide the FDLR with money or equipment. These allegations have been given particular attention because Col. Kotolonga, who was sanctioned by the United States, was among those reportedly responsible for coordinating military activities between the FARDC and the FDLR.
FDLR in areas controlled by AFC/M23
Information from Kabizo, Rugali, Kiwanja and Masisi indicates that FDLR fighters have carried out attacks against local authorities appointed by AFC/M23.
These reports, corroborated by other independent sources, indicate that the FDLR continues to play a role in the conflict in North Kivu, where it has also reportedly abducted civilians and looted livestock belonging to herders.
The lessons of Umoja Wetu and Kimia II should be used to dismantle the FDLR
The history of operations against the FDLR shows that the issue has persisted for many years.
In early 2009, the FARDC and the Rwandan army carried out Operation Umoja Wetu, a joint operation against the FDLR in North Kivu.
After Rwandan troops withdrew from Congo, the FARDC continued operations through Operation Kimia II, with support from MONUC.
A 2009 US State Department report on human rights in Congo said Kimia II helped disarm and repatriate to Rwanda 1,522 FDLR fighters, along with 2,187 people associated with them.
MONUC also estimated that 1,114 FDLR fighters were killed during the operations. The report said the operations reduced the FDLR’s military capabilities and pushed it away from major cities and areas where it had mining activities. However, the operations did not bring an end to the FDLR.
The US report said that although the military operations weakened the group, they failed to completely dismantle its political and military structures.
This is an important lesson for all efforts aimed at addressing the FDLR issue, as civilian security must go hand in hand with efforts to confront armed groups.
Why does the FDLR issue continue to concern Kigali?
The return of the FDLR to areas of Virunga, Rutshuru and Masisi could increase concerns in Rwanda, particularly if its fighters continue to operate close to the border.
For Kigali, the issue is not only the number of fighters. It is also the group’s ability to reorganise, acquire weapons and carry out activities that could threaten Rwanda’s security. The group also includes leaders accused of having participated in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
This is why Rwanda wants the FDLR issue to be addressed in a way that can be monitored and demonstrate that its military capabilities have been removed.
The future of the Washington agreement
The FDLR issue will be one of the tests of whether the Washington agreement can be properly implemented.
Kinshasa must demonstrate that fighters who lay down their weapons do not return to the battlefield.
Kigali, for its part, must see that the security concern it has repeatedly raised has been addressed in a lasting manner.
Mwizerwa Ally
Rwandatribune
