UN to Militia: Demobilise by Friday or face military action in DR Congo

DR Congo: Time is rapidly running out on a Friday, January 2, 2015 deadline set by the UN Security Council and regional African governments for the rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo known as the FDLR to fully demobilize or face military operations.

Rather than demobilize, the FDLR has been generating income from gold and charcoal, mobilizing political support, and continuing to pose a regional security threat, according to a recent report by the Enough Project, “How to Dismantle a Deadly Militia.” Experts warn that military operations targeting the FDLR must prioritize civilian protection, and the report proposes seven critical non-military initiatives to accompany any forceful actions against the FDLR.

Sasha Lezhnev, Associate Director of Policy for Congo, the Great Lakes Region, and the LRA at the Enough Project, said: "Our six months of field research found that the FDLR has been regrouping instead of actually disarming. Congo, Tanzania, and South Africa need to show leadership and take targeted action against the group with robust civilian protection measures."

According to Fidel Bafilemba, Enough Project field researcher, based in Goma, DRC, said: "Many of our Congolese civil society groups have called for the UN Security Council to order forceful action on the FDLR. But military operations against this violent armed group won't come without risks. The FDLR have been around for a long time, and this won't likely be a reenactment of the M23 situation, with sudden capitulation. Reprisals by the FDLR against civilians are a real danger, and no effort must be spared to make sure our local communities aren't caught in the crossfire."

Holly Dranginis, Enough Project Policy Analyst, retorted that: "The women, children, and men subject to the FDLR's brutal atrocities have awaited protection and justice for far too long. Much-needed military offensives slated for January 2nd must be accompanied by sophisticated civilian protection strategies and a coordinated effort by MONUSCO, the Congolese army, and the ICC to apprehend and prosecute high-level perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity."

John Prendergast, Enough Project Founding Director, said: "The credibility of the UN mission is at stake with the January 2nd deadline. There must be a resolute and forward-thinking effort to end the FDLR threat, including resettlement options for those that choose to leave the battlefield. Any military operations by UN forces must prioritize protection of civilian populations."

According to Enough’s report, the FDLR is using illicit revenue, including the pillage of gold and charcoal, to purchase ammunition and arms. The report documents the FDLR heavily profiting by illicitly trading gold through North Kivu and Uganda, and by illegally producing and selling charcoal from timber in Virunga National Park.

Despite the group’s rhetoric that its fighters are disarming, the FDLR has failed to meet several key deadlines to demobilize, and fewer than 200 rank-and-file FDLR soldiers have laid down their weapons.