The army of the Democratic Republic of the Congo plays a significant role in the life of the FDLR terrorist group fighting the Rwandan government. This is not stated by one or two people, but is confirmed by various reports, including those of United Nations experts.
Lt Col Mpakaniye Emilien, known as Che Guevara Jacob in the FDLR, explained on November 28, 2025 to military advisors in the Embassies operating in Rwanda that he was in charge of precious stones in this group from 2008 to 2010.
He said, “From 2008 to 2010, I was in charge of finding precious stones. I did it in collaboration with the Congolese. We extracted stones from the mines of Rubaya, Bisie in Walikale, in South Kivu, and we worked with the Congolese, including soldiers and civilians, who bought these stones and used them to buy weapons.”
Lt Col Mpakaniye explained that the FDLR’s continued existence was due to its continued revenue-generating activities, including mining, in these parts of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.
“That’s how the FDLR survived, selling precious stones and buying weapons to continue the war. That money was also used for livelihoods. This illegal trade was a powerful weapon in the FDLR’s war.”
He assured military advisors at embassies who visited the Mutobo camp housing former fighters that the DRC government was working with the FDLR in an attempt to destabilize Rwanda, and that it was providing the group with weapons and ammunition.
Lt Col Mpakaniye pointed out that if the DRC government did not work with the FDLR, this terrorist group would no longer exist. He said “If the DRC government did not work with the FDLR, the FDLR would no longer exist. The DRC government is providing the FDLR with weapons and ammunition to continue the fight. The FARDC says that the FDLR is helping it fight the enemy.”
He explained that the weapons the FARDC is providing to the FDLR are not only to help it fight in eastern DRC, but that the army is also supporting it in attacking Rwanda.
The former fighter said that when he was still in the DRC, he thought that the FDLR had a legitimate reason to attack Rwanda, but that after returning home, he realized that he was wrong because the country he wanted to destabilize welcomed him well, giving him the resources to help him develop.
He said, “But since I arrived here, I have seen that the FDLR has no reason to fight. After being trained here in Mutobo, we were explained how the country was built, I realized that everything the FDLR told us was a lie. I was afraid that when I got here, I would have serious problems, but the country gave us everything we needed to start a life.”
In June 2025, the FDLR was said to have between 7,000 and 10,000 fighters. As of October 14, its top leaders, including Lt Gen Byiringiro Victor and Pacifique Ntawungua, known as ‘Gen Omega’, were still in the Walikale territory, which is rich in minerals including Gasegereti, Coltan and Wolfram.
