Belgian Analyst Says US Misplaced Sanctions Over FDLR Issue in DRC

Alain Destexhe, former Belgian Senator and Secretary General of Doctors Without Borders (MSF), has criticized the United States for sanctioning the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) instead of holding the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government accountable for its ties to the FDLR terrorist group, in remarks made on March 4, 2026. Destexhe’s comments followed US sanctions imposed on March 2, 2026, targeting RDF and senior Rwandan officers accused of supporting the AFC/M23 coalition and destabilizing eastern DRC. He argued that the DRC government, not Rwanda, is responsible for continuing insecurity in the region. “The DRC should be punished, not Rwanda. Despite UN Security Council Resolution 2773 and peace agreements, the DRC has refused to distance itself from the FDLR, which remains a major security threat. Meanwhile, Wazalendo extremists’ funds continue to fuel terrorism,” Destexhe wrote on X on March 3. He further accused the DRC of collaborating with foreign mercenaries and conducting drone attacks on civilians, including in Minembwe, South Kivu, noting that such attacks have persisted for several days. Destexhe, who has long monitored the Great Lakes region, highlighted that the FDLR’s capabilities doubled after receiving support from the DRC government, making it difficult to dismantle the group entirely. “Their numbers increased after the FDLR received weapons and material support from President Félix Tshisekedi to fight M23,” he said. UN expert reports estimate the FDLR has between 1,500 and 3,000 fighters, though the group’s military spokesman claimed in November 2025 that their numbers were significantly higher. Destexhe called on the United States to reassess its approach and hold the DRC government responsible for enabling continued violence in eastern DRC.