Members of an expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) examining the FARDC bombing to Rwanda
Rwanda Ministry of Defence has issued a statement indicating that Rwanda was bombed from DRC territory controlled by FARDC and MONUSCO on 15 July 2013, which has been verified by Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM).
According to the verification, it is a fact that MONUSCO deploys in Goma areas where the bombs came from, considering another truth that MONUSCO is collocated with FARDC.
In a Press conference held today 17 July 2013 in Kinshasa, MONUSCO “rejected allegations of ‘deliberate bombings’ of Rwanda territory that would have originated from DRC”. The gratuitous denial by MONUSCO, without prior investigations constitutes a dangerous pattern. This is not the first time MONUSCO is denying verifiable attacks on Rwanda territory.
The encouragement to Government of Rwanda to work with EJVM is uncalled for as Government knows the mechanism and the procedures. EJVM is an International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) which Rwanda is an active member. As a matter of fact, EJVM was invited immediately when the provocation occurred, and has been on the ground. Their preliminary findings prove what Government declared in the 15 July 2013 Press release.
Further facts prove that the two bombs were shelled on Rwanda territory from BM 21 located at Carriere, in Mugunga 12 km from Goma. The BM 21 is manned by gunners of 41 Commando Bn of Col Didier, Commando Bde commanded by Col Mamadou Ndala. The Commando Bde is collocated with MONUSCO.
Col Olivier Hamuri, the FARDC spokesman has stated how MONUSCO is supporting them. “The MONUSCO supports us in logistics. It assists us with combat rations, fuel … It supports us with its aviation when we need to fight the enemy. It also acts to evacuate our wounded at the front, even for moving the military, “Said Colonel Olivier Hamuli.
MONUSCO to engage in such denial and misinformation campaign akin to DRC Propaganda machine without verification constitutes an obvious incentive to authors to repeat such acts, and a recipe for destabilizing the region.
It should be recalled that in November 2012, FARDC fired on Rwanda territory 15 bombs killing innocent civilians and MONUSCO was silent and defending them even when DRC apologized for firing at Rubavu, saying it was undisciplined officers that fired without orders.
There are reports that more bombs landed in Rwanda this Wednesday 17/07/2013 in the area of Rutagara cell in Rubavu sector, Rubavu District where local people are said to have fled to different directions.