DR Congo, Rwanda to cooperate in war against FDLR rebels

The governments of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) have agreed to cooperate in eradication of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebels currently operating in the East of DR Congo.

The revelations were made in a final statement issued on Thursday after a bilateral two-day meeting between the two countries on matters of security.

"The bilateral meeting between Rwanda's Defense Minister Gen. James Kabarebe and DR Congo's Defense Minister Aime Ngoy Mukena took place in Kigali to examine security challenges facing the two countries and agree on joint strategies to address the challenges," the same statement said.

"The meeting between the two ministers opened a new chapter for reinforcement of bilateral cooperation and resolution of security problems between the two countries, especially eradication of FDLR rebels who are currently operating in the East of DR Congo," it added.

The two ministers agreed to organize soon a meeting in Kigali bringing together military chiefs and intelligence bosses from both countries to craft strategies for eliminating FDLR.

FDLR rebels entered DR Congo in 1994 after the Rwandan genocide and settled in the East of the country. A recent report by the United Nations revealed that at least 1,000 FDLR rebels are still active in eastern DR Congo.

Eastern DR Congo is still dominated by activities of FDLR rebels against the civilian population. In February this year, the Congolese army launched an operation against the FDLR rebels. Endit