On 10 October 2019, the FDLR and RUD Urunana, two armed groups based in the Democratic Republic of Congo, launched a violent attack on Rwanda from the DRC. The assault resulted in the deaths of 8 people and left 18 others wounded, triggering a fresh wave of concern over security along the Rwandan-Congolese border.
The FDLR is a militia composed primarily of individuals who fled Rwanda after the 1994 Genocide and has been involved in cross-border attacks against Rwandan forces and civilians over the years. The RUD Urunana is another armed group that shares similar goals to the FDLR and operates in the same region.
The attack on 10 October 2019 marked a significant escalation in the ongoing tension between the two countries. Rwanda has consistently accused the DRC of harboring these armed groups, which continue to use the eastern DRC as a base to launch attacks against Rwanda.
Key Points:
- On 10 October 2019, the FDLR/RUD Urunana launched an attack from DRC into Rwanda, killing 8 people and injuring 18 others.
- The attack highlighted the cross-border security issues between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- FDLR is a militia of Rwandan genocide perpetrators, and RUD Urunana is a rebel group that operates in the eastern DRC.
- The attack renewed concerns over the ongoing presence of armed groups in eastern DRC and their impact on Rwandan security.
- Rwanda has accused DRC of failing to effectively dismantle these groups, despite international efforts and peace agreements.
This attack was a stark reminder of the lingering instability in the Great Lakes region, where historical tensions, armed groups, and political instability continue to fuel violence and undermine peace efforts. The incident also emphasized the vulnerabilities of border security and the challenges in achieving lasting peace between Rwanda and its neighbor, the Democratic Republic of Congo.