Kinshasa, August 10th, 2026 (CPA). – The security threat cited by Rwanda to justify its military interventions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is set to disappear with the demobilization of the Democratic Forces for Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), according to Congolese Minister of Regional Integration Floribert Anzuluni, who was interviewed Monday on RFI. In the interview, the Congolese minister indicated that the FDLR’s political and military leaders have adhered to the disarmament, demobilization, and cantonment protocol signed at the end of July. He has also specified that a relocation solution is being considered for combatants who refuse to return to Rwanda, in addition to the voluntary return offered to other members of the movement. For Kinshasa, this dual option is intended to address one of the main security concerns cited by Kigali to justify its support for the armed group AFC/M23 and its intervention in DRC, as documented by several international reports, and which has resulted in the occupation of parts of Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu provinces, serious human rights violations, and the systematic plundering of Congolese natural resources, particularly strategic minerals such as coltan. This protocol marks a true turning point because the FDLR has made a very clear commitment to participate in this process of disarmament, demobilization, and cantonment through awareness-raising. Today, the FDLR’s political and military leaders are fully engaged in this process, Floribert Anzuluni stated. The minister has explained that this agreement comes amid a new diplomatic context, marked by the peace process underway between Kinshasa and Kigali, and he believes it offers an opportunity to resolve the FDLR issue once and for all.
An Implementation Plan Currently Under Review
On the operational front, Floribert Anzuluni indicated that an implementation plan, a timeline, and a budget have already been drafted, though they are still under review.
“We have a proposed implementation plan, a proposed timeline, and a proposed budget. All of these elements are currently being approved, and we will provide details very soon,” he declared. He also confirmed that the political and military wings of the FDLR have endorsed the principles contained in the protocol, noting that the official signatory is acting on behalf of the entire movement. Asked about the fate of combatants who do not wish to return to Rwanda, Minister Anzuluni revealed that an African country has already given its agreement in principle to take them in, without disclosing its identity.
“Those who feel comfortable returning will go back to Rwanda. Those who do not will then have the opportunity to be resettled in one or more countries,” he said.
According to him, this alternative is intended to prevent the FDLR’s presence on Congolese territory from continuing to be used as a political or security justification.
The government acknowledged, however, that several details remain to be clarified, notably the implementation timeline, the exact number of combatants involved, and the procedures for identifying them prior to their cantonment.
Doha Bolsters the Peace Process
Added to this development, a few days ago, was the handover by the Congolese government of fifteen detainees to the M23-AFC as part of the prisoner release mechanism provided for under the Doha process; these prisoners were shown on various digital platforms belonging to this Rwandan-backed force, which occupies several Congolese cities and territories in the eastern part of the country.
Qatar welcomed this operation, stating that it constitutes “an important step toward building trust between the parties” while the United States described this initial measure as an encouraging sign for the continuation of the peace process. Initiated under Qatar’s mediation, the Doha process aims to promote a lasting resolution to the crisis in eastern DRC through several protocols addressing, in particular, security and humanitarian issues, the restoration of state authority, and confidence-building measures between the parties. ACP/