There was a general state of relief in Central Africa earlier this year when the peace deal for the Democratic Republic of the Congo was finally signed. After a decade of both low-intensity and high level conflict, the country is taking some crucial steps in the effort to rejoin the Community of Nations. 

But there is a new wrinkle in the situation in the Kivu Provinces. Not all of the local militias have been disarmed. And what could make the situation even worse, not all of the foreign militias have been disarmed and disbanded either. And if the report from a regional human rights group are true, then the last demons of the 1994 Rwanda genocide have not been exorcised. 

The group in question is the FDLR (Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda.) They have been accused by the Kagame Government of playing a role in the horrendous events of 1994. There have been reports that state the FDLR has an estimated 6,000 people currently in the Eastern DRC. And they have reportedly set up their own rules and laws in the area.

In the Bunyakiri Region FDLR has set up its own army and police forces. They also levy taxes, have their own tribunals, and have issued travel passes for the local population. What are their current activities? In the Bunyakiri Region the group has set up its own army and police forces. They also levy taxes, have their own tribunals, and have issued travel passes for the local population. In some communities the militia forces have taken over after Congolese Police and Army Forces deserted the area.  

In 2007 Kigali and Kinshasa signed a deal that would disarm and repatriate foreign militias by force if necessary. President Kabila has a similar deal with Uganda to undertake the same type of mission. Currently, MONUC (United Nations Mission in the Congo) has announced that it will progressively reenforce its positions in the east of the country. However, at this time there are no plans for military action. 

Another part of the peace deal covers intelligence sharing between the DRC and Rwanda. Burundi and the United States also take part in this initiative which has the goal of preventing any further escalation of conflict. The group also has been investigating the status of militias in the region.  

The longer the FDLR operates in this fashion with impunity, the greater the chance is that a border incident will occur. Also, a clash with either the UN force or the government could occur. The efforts by the U.N. and the Congolese government to reign in these militias have not been successful at this juncture. Some militias had to be beaten in order for their leadership to be taken into custody. 

Another idea that is feasable is to have the FDLR sign the peace accords with the Kabila Government. That way, they can become part of the process and not trying work around it so that they can maintain their power and hold two countries under the threat of renewed hostilities. 

The Author of this article publishes content regularly at Confused Eagle found at morganrights.tripod.com.