DR Congo displaced persons camp attack and Rwanda’s denial

The search for those behind Friday’s attack on a camp for displaced persons in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues as Rwanda denies any role.

Friday’s attack killed at least nine people, the U.S. State Department said in a statement.

It claimed that the attack was mounted from positions held by the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group.

The M23 rebels have been on an offensive for two years now. They have moved closer to the eastern Congolese city of Goma in recent months, forcing thousands to seek refuge in the city from surrounding areas.

The U.S. said it was “gravely concerned about the recent RDF and M23 expansion” in eastern Congo.

The U.S. strongly condemns the attack today from Rwanda Defense Forces and M23 positions on the Mugunga camp for Internally Displaced Persons in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is essential that all states respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

— Matthew Miller (@StateDeptSpox) May 3, 2024

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But Rwanda on Saturday denied U.S. accusations that its forces attacked the said camp. Rwanda has instead blamed militias it said were supported by the Congolese military for the assault.

Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said in a statement that “The RDF, a professional army, would never attack an IDP (displaced persons).

Look to the lawless FDLR and Wazalendo supported by the FARDC (Congolese military) for this kind of atrocity.”

This is ridiculous Matthew, how do you come to this absurd conclusion? The RDF, a professional army, would never attack an IDP camp. Look to the lawless FDLR & Wazalendo supported by the FARDC, for this kind of atrocity. https://t.co/vtyawZLxBp

— Yolande Makolo 🇷🇼 (@YolandeMakolo) May 4, 2024

The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) that Yolande referred to is a Hutu group founded by Hutu officials who fled Rwanda after orchestrating the 1994 genocide. Wazalendo is a Christian sect.