Rwandan newspaper claims JK/Membe stands conflicting
The government reiterated its position on the matter following reports published by an important newspaper in Kigali, News of Rwanda, on January 12 stating that the Tanzania government has recently issued different positions on the matter.
The newspaper quoted the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Bernard Membe as having told a regional newspaper in Dar es Salaam that Tanzania would not attack Rwandan FDLR rebels operating in Eastern DRC.
It said that conflicting positions of the Tanzania government on the matter arose after President Jakaya Kikwete told members of the diplomatic corps at a Sherry Party at the State House last week that Tanzania would fully support military action against the FDLR to ensure peace in the region.
With the headline ‘Tanzania won’t attack Rwandan FDLR rebels says foreign minister’ the newspaper claimed that President Kikwete and Minister Membe sent two different messages as to how the Tanzania would deal with Rwandan FDLR rebels.
The Rwandan newspaper quoted the minister, Membe as having told the regional newspaper that “if Congo will not use its security forces to identify the Rwandans and get them deported to their respective destinations, Tanzania will for the first time not comply with the UN directive to take immediate military action.”
But, reacting to the news, the Director of the Tanzania Information Services (Maelezo), Assah Mwambene said it was unfortunate that the publication of the news wholly aimed at pushing certain agenda.
“I find it stupid for a media outlet worth the name to suggest the impossible to meet its own agenda,” he said, noting that Tanzania has over 3000 troops as part of the UN combat brigade in eastern DRC around areas neighbouring Rwanda.
When speaking to diplomats at a Sherry Party Friday last week President Kikwete said it loud and clear that Tanzania has always supported peace initiatives in the region and therefore it would support such efforts to ensure that Eastern DRC was free of armed groups that threaten the security of the people of Congo and Congo’s neighbours.
FDLR get bigger force
News of Rwanda on January 10 reported that a classified United Nations document says the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) militia have been amassing troops - some from Zambia and Congo Brazzaville in preparation for war. Some have been mixed with Congolese army units along the common border with Rwanda, the report asserted.
The newspaper cited the document with reference number CLA-MP-94/12-12 that was prepared by the United Nations Mission in the Congo (MONUSCO) for official use within the UN agency.
It reads in part: “Reliable sources (humanitarian workers) have reported to MONUSCO’s component on 16th Dec 2012 about the presence of 4000 FDLR cadres at Kazibake…, Groupement (military company, portion of a battalion) of Bashali Mokoto, Localité Lukweti/Ndurumo.
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