Two months ago, the son of former Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana, Jean Luc Habyarimana, made a secret trip to request that the DRC government maintain the collaboration between FARDC and FDLR.
According to information obtained by Rwandatribune from an anonymous source within Congo’s National Intelligence Agency (ANR), Jean Luc traveled to Kinshasa between June 5th and June 10th at the invitation of current DRC President Felix Tshisekedi.
This source revealed that Jean Luc met with Roger ILUNGA, the brother of President Tshisekedi, to discuss the cooperation between the Kinshasa government and the FDLR.
Among the topics discussed were the FDLR fighters, including Maj. Kizito, who is imprisoned in Munzenze prison, along with other soldiers detained in Ndolo, Makala, and Angenga prisons. The FDLR has been urging the Congolese government to release these individuals, but progress has been slow. Part of Jean Luc Habyarimana’s mission was to persuade the Kinshasa administration to release them.
Gen. Major Christian Ndayiwey, head of Congo’s military intelligence agency DEMIAP, was involved in these discussions as well.
Another key issue on the agenda was the mounting pressure on the Kinshasa government to sever ties with the FDLR.
FDLR leader Byiringiro Victor had expressed concerns to Jean Luc Habyarimana that FARDC might turn against them, as happened in 2013. To address these concerns, Jean Luc proposed that FDLR fighters be integrated with the Wazalendo militia to mislead the international community.
Jean Luc also met with Gen. Maj. Christian Ndayiwey of DEMIAP and other senior officials. It is reported that he had discussions with Gen. Maj. Aglicole Ntirampeba, Burundi’s representative in Congo-Kinshasa, although the details of their conversation remain undisclosed.
Since the formation of the FDLR in 2002, Jean Luc Habyarimana has served as an honorary advisor and has played a significant role in fundraising for the group.
Sources indicate that many of the decisions made by the FDLR president have been influenced by Jean Luc’s input.
Both the DRC and Burundi have often shown interest in toppling the government of President Paul Kagame using groups like the FDLR, RNC, and CNRD/FLN.
However, Rwanda has consistently warned both Congo and Burundi that any attempt to invade Rwanda will be met with severe consequences, and the Rwandan government has made it clear that it will not seek permission from anyone to defend itself.
