The Growing Threat of FDLR: UN Security Experts Expose Alarming Developments in DRC
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The United Nations security experts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have revealed that the armed group FDLR recently received 600 new fighters.
These fighters, mainly Congolese, joined the group at the end of January 2024 after receiving military training at the Mihanja located in the Masisi territory, North Kivu province.
They stated: “At the end of January 2024, 600 new fighters, mainly Congolese nationals who received military training at a center in Mihanja, Masisi territory, joined the FDLR-FOCA to replace those who died in the war.”
The battle in which many FDLR fighters died is the one where the FDLR is working with the DRC forces, armed youth groups called ‘Wazalendo’, and Burundian forces against the M23; the group that took up arms in 2021.
These experts explained: “Since 2022, when the M23 launched attacks against FDLR bases, important FDLR leaders and many fighters have been killed. The FDLR has lost its most important bases, moving from Tongo to Shove, south of Rutshuru. To avoid being destroyed, its leadership decided to live in a different place.”
The experts’ report proves that although in November 2023, the Commander-in-Chief of the DRC, Gen. Christian Tshiwewe, banned soldiers from collaborating with the FDLR, this cooperation continued with the participation of the Governor of North Kivu Province.
They confirm that despite many FDLR fighters being killed, it remains the most powerful armed group in the Petit Nord region, with between 1000 and 1500 fighters, divided into three battalions, namely: Samaria, Jericho, and Medaillon.
The group of FDLR fighters known as CRAP, its leader, Protogene Ruvugayimikore identified as Colonel Gaby Ruhinda was killed on December 2, 2023, and was replaced by Col Sirkoof alias Gustave Kubwayo in March 2024.
It has between 300 and 500 fighters. The fact that the FDLR is strong, as explained by these experts, is due to assistance from the DRC government, which includes military equipment such as firearms, money from tree felling in Virunga Park, timber for which they are responsible, thefts, and taxes from Congolese people.
UN experts revealed that in areas controlled by the FDLR in Virunga Park, approximately 30 tons of wood were cut each week. This earned them $5,150 per week, which could reach $268,000 per year.
In areas controlled by the FDLR in Nyiragongo territory, they closely monitored forestry exploitation, charging traders $407 each time before transporting the wood to Goma.
This earned them at least $1,425 per week, which could reach $74,000 per year.
In total, these experts show that the FDLR earned approximately $340,000 per year in the areas they controlled through illegal forestry exploitation and taxes.
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