What is the FDLR and why is it relevant to the Rwanda-DRC conflict?

The FDLR is a Hutu group, including some responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide, that remains active in eastern DR Congo, posing a security threat to Rwanda.

How did the 1994 Rwandan genocide impact the Democratic Republic of Congo?

Following the genocide, about one million Hutus fled to DR Congo, increasing ethnic tensions and contributing to ongoing instability in the region.

What actions has Rwanda taken in DR Congo related to the conflict?

Rwanda's army has invaded DR Congo twice, stating its aim is to pursue perpetrators of the genocide and address the threat posed by the FDLR.

Home / War and Conflict / Genocide's Shadow: The Deep Roots of Rwanda-DRC Fighting

Genocide's Shadow: The Deep Roots of Rwanda-DRC Fighting

7 Dec

•

Summary

Rwanda's 1994 genocide led to Hutu extremists fleeing to DR Congo.
Ethnic tensions escalated with the presence of Hutu groups in eastern DR Congo.
Rwanda cites the active FDLR militia as a threat, justifying its actions.

Genocide's Shadow: The Deep Roots of Rwanda-DRC Fighting

The roots of the ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo can be traced back to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, where ethnic Hutu extremists murdered approximately 800,000 people, predominantly Tutsis.

Following the genocide's end, an estimated one million Hutus sought refuge in DR Congo, intensifying ethnic friction and marginalizing the Banyamulenge Tutsi group. Rwanda has since conducted two invasions into DR Congo, aiming to neutralize perpetrators of the genocide.

Currently, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu group including genocide perpetrators, remains active, posing what Rwanda deems a significant security threat. Rwanda accuses Congolese authorities of collaborating with the FDLR, a claim denied by DR Congo, though both nations have agreed to cease support for the militia.