The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reiterated its determination to implement a plan to disarm the Forces démocratiques pour la libération du Rwanda (FDLR), a Rwandan armed group operating in the country's eastern region. This commitment was made through diplomatic channels, with the country's Minister of Regional Integration, Floribert Anzuluni, transmitting special messages from President Félix Tshisekedi to his counterparts in Togo and Angola.
Between September 29 and 30, Minister Anzuluni met with Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé in Lomé and Angolan President João Lourenço in Luanda, who is also the mediator of the Luanda process. The focus of these diplomatic efforts was on the voluntary surrender of FDLR combatants, in line with commitments made under the Washington agreements concluded in December 2025.
During his meetings, Minister Anzuluni discussed the implementation of an action plan aimed at disarming and neutralizing the FDLR. He stated that the progress made demonstrates the DRC's clear willingness to respect its commitments under the Washington agreements. The minister emphasized that Kinshasa intends to honor its roadmap for restoring sub-regional trust.
In parallel to these regional consultations, the head of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), James Swan, addressed the UN Security Council in New York on September 29. While acknowledging the ongoing diplomatic efforts in Luanda, Lomé, and Washington, he urged all parties to the conflict to translate these political advances into concrete and measurable actions on the ground.
The goal of these actions is to alleviate the suffering of civilian populations affected by violence in eastern DRC. The UN Security Council has been pressing for tangible results, and James Swan's intervention highlighted the need for swift and effective implementation of the disarmament plan.
The DRC's eastern region has been plagued by violence and insecurity for decades, with various armed groups, including the FDLR, operating in the area. The FDLR, a Rwandan armed group, has been accused of numerous human rights abuses and crimes against civilians.
The international community, including the UN, has been closely monitoring the situation and urging the DRC government to take concrete steps to address the issue. With the renewed commitment to disarm the FDLR, the DRC government aims to demonstrate its resolve to tackle the security challenges in the region and restore stability.
Key points
- The DRC government has reaffirmed its commitment to disarming the FDLR militia through diplomatic channels.
- The UN Security Council has urged the DRC government to translate diplomatic advances into concrete actions on the ground.
- The DRC's eastern region has been affected by decades of violence and insecurity, with various armed groups operating in the area.
