In the burning news of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a tragic incident occurred on Thursday 27 July. A soldier from the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) lost his life during an exchange of fire with the Rwandan army in the village of Rutagara, located in the Buvira grouping, Nyiragongo territory, in the north of the city of Goma.
According to information provided by local civil society, the shooting erupted when the Rwandan military tried to fraudulently cross traffickers known as “chora-chora” at the border between the DRC and Rwanda, between the terminals of demarcation 13 and 14.
The Congolese soldier was killed while trying to prevent the traffickers from entering. Civil society claims that the Rwandan military violated Congolese territory to recover the body of the deceased soldier.
Following this incident, the two armies reinforced their military personnel to ensure border security.
This tragic event highlights the complexity of security issues on the border between the DRC and Rwanda. Cross-border trafficking, such as that of “chora-chora”, represents a major challenge for the authorities of both countries.
It is essential that measures be taken to strengthen bilateral cooperation and ensure border security. This requires effective coordination between Congolese and Rwandan security forces, as well as a resolute fight against illegal activities that undermine the stability of the region.
The Rutagara incident also highlights the importance of resolving tensions between the two countries. Political, economic and territorial disputes must be addressed peacefully and constructively, in order to foster peace and development in the Great Lakes region.
In conclusion, this tragic incident highlights the challenges facing the DRC and Rwanda in terms of border security