Rwanda would ‘never compel’ escaping Congolese troops to return to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to Karega

Vincent Karega, the ambassador-at-large to the Great Lakes Region, stated that Rwanda will “never force” hundreds of Congolese troops who escaped combat with M23 rebels to return to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Karega made this statement while addressing reporters in Rubavu District, where the M23 rebels had taken Goma and more than 100 Congolese troops, together with their FDLR and Wazalendo allies, had arrived on Monday.

Karega stated, “Anyone who comes as a refugee and is in a distressing situation is welcome and will receive the support that we give to all people in difficult situations, just like any country that respects international law.”

On Monday, at least 113 combatants fled to Rwanda from Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle, a facility near Rubavu. After being disarmed, several of them received medical attention for their wounds.

“The state of affairs in their nation will dictate their future. They will either become permanent migrants in Rwanda, return to their home nation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or choose to remain refugees until they feel safe enough to do so.

“We never force refugees to return to the country they fled from; it all depends on how the situation develops, their will, and so on.”

Lt. Kasereka Tshombe, one of the Congolese troops, said that after being “defeated” by M23 rebels, they escaped to Rwanda.

Tshombe told reporters on Tuesday, “There was fighting in all of Goma; fighting was going on in every part.”

“We were without a command. Every soldier flees. He said that the top officers, who included majors and colonels, had fled to Bukavu when the violence worsened.

Karega said that bombshells from the Democratic Republic of the Congo killed citizens in Rwanda on Monday and wrecked infrastructure and residences. As of Monday, the Rwanda Defense Force reported that at least 35 Rwandans had been injured and five had been killed by the bombings.

As the Congolese army and FDLR genocidal militia opened fire on Rwanda from Goma, businesses and schools in Rubavu were ordered to close.

Alain Mukuralinda, the deputy government spokesperson, informed the national broadcaster RBA on Tuesday that the dead toll had increased to nine. A minimum of five homes were demolished.