The Rwandan military says the FDLR rebel group is composed of between 7,000 to 10,000 fighters, confirming it remains a serious threat to national security.
This was revealed by Brig. Gen Ronald Rwivanga, spokesperson for the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF), during an exclusive interview with Congolese journalist Fiston Mahamba.
When asked about the estimated number of FDLR fighters, Brig. Gen Rwivanga said:
“They are estimated to be between 7,000 and 10,000, but they continue to blend in with the population when under attack.”
Regarding their location, he stated that most of them are based in various areas of North and South Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as well as in the Kibira forest in Burundi.
The Government of Rwanda has frequently expressed its concern to the international community over the FDLR, composed largely of individuals involved in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Fears increased when it became known that the FDLR was collaborating with the Congolese government to launch attacks against Rwanda.
Referring to several attacks launched jointly by Kinshasa and FDLR on Rwandan civilians near the border—such as the 2022 Kinigi attack and recent incidents in Rubavu District—Brig. Gen Rwivanga reiterated that the FDLR remains a real threat.
He also emphasized that DRC should be concerned that such a group with a history of mass killings is operating freely on its territory.
Rwivanga concluded by saying that the presence of the FDLR continues to harm Rwanda–DRC relations, and stressed that a diplomatic solution would be more effective in addressing the issue than military action.
