RAKIYA OMAAR, CONSULTANT TO THE RWANDA DEMOBILISATION AND REINTEGRATION COMMISSION THE LEADERSHIP OF RWANDAN ARMED GROUPS ABROAD WITH A FOCUS ON THE FDLR AND RUD/URUNANA DECEMBER 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACRONYMS AND GLOSSARY………………………….…………………………………………………………….6 PREFACE……………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………8 INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………….……………………………………………….10 1. THE OBSTACLES TO REPATRIATION: THE EXPERIENCES AND PERSPECTIVES OF RETURNEES………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………….17 THE INTERESTS OF LEADERS IN DISCOURAGING REPATRIATION…………………………… ..17 Economic Self Interest…………………………………………………………………………………..17 Fear of Justice……………………………………………………………………………………………20 THE IMPEDIMENTS FACED BY POTENTIAL RETURNEES……………………………………….21 The Lack of Information and the Power of Misinformation………………………………………..21 False Information from Relatives in Rwanda………………………………………………………..23 The Threat and Reality of Violent Reprisals…………………………………………………………24 A Security Deterrent: The Long Distance to MONUC Stations…………………………………...27 2. WHO ARE THE LEADERS? THE PROCESS OF ESTABLISHING THEIR IDENTITY……………………………………………………………………............................................29 IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND…………………………………………………………………29 Reshuffle After Reshuffle ……………………………………………………….................................29 The Use of Cover Names………………………………………………………………………………..29 Life in Rwanda and in Exile: A Time-Consuming Process…………………………………………30 The “Unofficial” Influence of Well-Known Genocide Suspects Who Are Kept Out of the Public Limelight………………………………………………………………………………………………….31 WHO ARE THE MILITARY LEADERS?………………………………………………………......31 WHO ARE THE CIVILIAN LEADERS?……………………………………………………………33 WHO ARE THE REPRESENTATIVES ABROAD?………………………………………………….34 THE POSITION OF WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP…………………………………………………….34 3. THE EX­FAR MILITARY STRUCTURE IN THE DRC: JULY 1994 – NOVEMBER 1994…………………………………………………………………………………..35 BACKGROUND TO AN EXODUS………………………………………………………………...35 How PALIR Came to Be………………………………………………………………………………..38 October-November 1996: The Destruction of the Camps………………………………………….39 A Brief Stop in Tingi Tingi……………………………………………………………………………...39 4. ALIR/PALIR: THE INSURGENCY OF 1997­1998…………………….……………………………….40 A NEW LEASE OF LIFE: THE 1998 WAR IN THE DRC………………………………………….43 FEBRUARY 1999: THE FOUNDING OF THE FDLR……………………………………………...44 THE BWINDI MURDERS OF 1 MARCH 1999: A FIRST STEP IN THE TRANSFORMATION FROM ALIR TO THE FDLR …………………………………………………………………………...44 Structure of PALIR…………………………………………………………………………..................45 Structure of ALIR………………………………………………………………………………………..46 1 ENDURING LINKS: FROM ALIR TO THE FDLR/RUD………………………………………….50 Former ALIR Officers Currently Serving in the FDLR-FOCA in the DRC……………………...50 Former PALIR Cadres Who Are Now Serving in the FDLR in the DRC………………………...51 Former ALIR Fighters Who Joined the FDLR and Who Have Now Returned to Rwanda…….51 Former ALIR Officers/PALIR Officials Who Joined FDLR/FOCA Who Have Died…………...52 Those Who Went from ALIR/PALIR to the FDLR Who Are Now Associated with the FDLR Outside of the DRC……………………………………………………………………………………...52 From ALIR to FDLR to RUD…………………………………………………………………………..53 5. THE FDLR TODAY…………………………………………………………….……………………………………54 STATED GOALS OF THE FDLR…………………………………………………………………54 THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF THE FDLR TODAY…………………………………………...54 6. INDIVIDUAL PROFILES ON FDLR LEADERS IN THE POLITICAL BRANCH………………..61 Ignace Murwanashyaka………………………………………………………………………………...61 Brigadier-General Gaston Iyamuremye, alias Rumuli……………………………………………..63 Brigadier-General Appolinaire Hakizimana, alias Amikwe Lepic/Poète ……………………….65 Col. Ildephonse Nizeyimana, alias Sebisogo ……………………………………………………….67 Lieutenant Colonel Anthère Ntahomvukiye, alias Nsenga or Vénuste Kubwayo or Gagural…72 Ignace Nkaka, alias Laforge Fils..…………………………………………………………………….73 Eugénie Niyotwizigiye.………………………………………………………………………………….75 Sixbert Ndayambaje, alias Soso……………………………………………………………………….76 Frodouald Havugimana, alias Havuga……………………………………………………………….78 Damien Biniga, alias Kamukin………………………………………………………………...79 Other Civilians Associated with the Political Branch………………………………………………83 7. THE CURRENT MILITARY STRUCTURE OF FOCA…………………………..……………………….84 8. INDIVIDUAL PROFILES ON FDLR/FOCA MILITARY LEADERS………………………………101 NORTH KIVU………………………………………………………………………………….101 General Sylvestre Mudacumura, alias Mupenzi Bernard………………………………………...101 Brigadier-General Stanislas Nzeyimana, alias Bigaruka………………………………………...105 Brigadier-General Léodimir Mugaragu, alias Léo Manzi………………………………………..106 Colonel Pacifique Ntawunguka, alias Omega……………………………………………………...110 Colonel Donat Habimana, alias Brazza Royal…………………………………………………….112 Colonel Bonaventure Bunane, alias Busogo……………………………………………………….114 Colonel Diogène Masengesho, alias Kwezi Ombriorex…………………………………………..115 Colonel Cyprien Uzabakiriho, alias Mugisha……………………………………………………..117 Lt. Col. Evariste Kanzeguhera, alias Sadiki Soleil………………………………………………...118 Lt. Col. Lucien Nzabamwita, alias Kaluma André………………………………………………...119 Lt.Col. Patrice Kagabo, alias Shemeki Shabani…………………………………………………...121 Lt.Col. Samuel Bisengimana, alias Sam Kunda-Mutima…………………………………………122 Lt. Col. Samuel Rucogoza, alias Muhire Sam……………………………………………………...124 Lt. Col. Anaclet Hitimana, alias Kabuyoya or Gasarasi Odilo………………………………….125 Lt.Col. Boniface Mugabonake, alias Josué Hagenimana/Bony………………………………….128 Lt.Col. Védaste Hatangumuremyi, alias Kaleb ……………………………………………………130 Lt.Col. Ezéchiel Gakwerere, alias Sibo Stany or Julius Mokoko………………………………..131 Lt.Col. Bernard Hitimana, alias Manzi-Mutunzi…………………………………………………..134 2 Lt.Col. François Nsengiyumva, alias Matovu……………………………………………………...136 Major Jean-Damascène Rutiganda, alias Mazizi………………………………………………….137 Major Alexis Magambo, alias Rugina Alain or Kamera Hamud………………………………..140 Major Jean de Dieu Nzabanita, alias Romel……………………………………………………….142 Captain Jotham Hakizimana, alias Oscar Steven…………………………………………………..143 SOUTH KIVU………………………………………………………………………………….144 Colonel Léopold Mujyambere, alias Achille Musenyeri/Abrahim………………………………144 Lt. Col. Aloys Bizimana, alias Bashaka Idrissa……………………………………………………146 Lt.Col. Jeanne d’Arc Mukakinanira, alias Aminata, Esthère or Tiger………………………….148 Lt.Col. Harelimana Hamada, alias Muramba Junior……………………………………………..149 Lt.Col. Félicien Nsanzubukire, alias Fred Irakiza or Ahamat…………………………………...151 Lt.Col Ferdinand Nsengiyumva, alias Bemba Bahizi/Ferdinand Ayayo………………………..152 Major Etienne Kanyandekwe, alias Zapy Schibel…………………………………………………154 Captain Eustache Kayumba, alias Bethos………………………………………………………….155 Captain Anastase Musabireme, alias Dan Bolingo………………………………………………..157 Captain Juvénal Muhozi, alias Juvens Kajos………………………………………………………158 9. THE CURRENT POLITICAL & MILITARY STRUCTURE OF RUD/RPR......………………...160 POLITICAL LEADERS………………………………………………………………………….160 Political Representatives in North Kivu…………………………………………………………… 160 Political Representatives Abroad……………………………………………………………………161 HOW RUD/RPR DEFINES ITS POLITICAL OBJECTIVES………………………………………161 THE ARMED WING OF RUD…………………………………………………………………..163 10. INDIVIDUAL PROFILES ON RUD/RPR MILITARY LEADERS………….…………………….166 General Jean-Damascène Ndibabaje, alias Musare………………………………………………166 Colonel Ildephonse Nkiranuye, alias Moses Tumusifu or Clovis………………………………..170 Colonel Martin Ntizonda, alias Roshidi-Rizinjirabake……………………………………………172 Lt.Col. Wenceslas Nizeyimana, alias Kit …………………………………………………………..174 Lt.Col. Jonas Nteziyaremye, alias Makoto………………………………………………………….177 Lt.Col. Juvénal Musabyimana, alias Africa Michel……………………………………………….179 Lt.Col. Norbert Twagirumukiza, alias Norrio Sabin………………………………………………181 Major Bonaventure Bimenyimana, alias Cobra……………………………………………………182 Summaries on Other Individuals……………………………………………………………………..183 11. INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES AND LINKS: THE FDLR.....................................185 FROM AFRICA TO EUROPE…………...……………………………………………………….185 France……………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………..186 Callixte Mbarushimana……………………………………………………………………………….187 Summaries on Other Individuals ……………………………………………………………………………...191 Belgium…………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………..191 Lt.Col. Théophile Gakara……………………………………………………………………………..193 Colonel Athanase Gasake……………………………………………………………….…………….195 Joseph Ngirabanzi, alias Ryamugogo……………………………………………………………….195 AFRICA………………………………………………………………………………………..196 3 Southern Africa …………….…………………………………...…………………………………………………….196 Summaries on Individuals…………………………………………………………………………….196 Zambia…………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………….196 Colonel Sylvestre Sebahinzi, alias Zinga Zinga… … … … ………………………………………197 Lieutenant Colonel Laurent Rwagakinga, alias Kabore …………………………………………199 Captain Liberata Musabyemariya …………………………………………………………………..200 Summaries on Other Individuals… … … … … … ………………………………………………...201 Malawi………………………………………………..……………………………………............................................201 Major Aimable Ndayambaje, alias Limbana ………………………………………………………201 Congo‐Brazzaville…………………………………………………………………………......................................203 Zimbabwe…………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………….203 Colonel Protais Mpiranya, alias Yahya Muhamed………………………………………………..203 WEST AFRICA………………………………………………………………………………...207 Cameroon…………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………….207 Lieutenant Colonel Anselme Nkuriyekubona……………………………………………………….207 Summaries on Other Individuals………………………………………………………………….....210 Bénin…………………………................................................................................................................................210