The reign of terror led by one of the most feared FDLR fighters has come to an end. In a dramatic turn in eastern DR Congo, Yoweri, better known by his alias “Tokyo,” has been captured by AFC/M23 forces, dealing a serious blow to the embattled militia group.
Sources in North Kivu report that Tokyo was seized during an operation in Masisi, a region long plagued by violence between rebel groups and government-backed forces.
Willy Manzi, vice governor of the rebel-held province, confirmed the capture on X (formerly Twitter), calling it “a major victory against cruelty and impunity.” He added:
“Tokyo is a man of great brutality. He and others like Jean-Marie of Nyatura, Tiger, and Ignace Dunia have left a trail of burned villages, mass killings, and shattered lives. His capture marks a turning point.”
Originally from Kibuye in Rwanda’s Karongi District, Tokyo has long been described by locals as a ruthless fighter with a lengthy record of violence.
The Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR) has terrorized eastern DR Congo for over two decades. Formed by remnants of those who fled Rwanda after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the group has maintained a legacy of bloodshed under various names. Both the United Nations and the United States have sanctioned the militia for atrocities, including murder, rape, and forced displacement. Earlier this month, Rwanda imposed sanctions on 25 individuals, including top FDLR commanders Lt Gen Gaston Iyamuremye (Victor Byiringiro) and Maj Gen Pacifique “Omega” Ntawunguka.
In the mineral-rich hills of North and South Kivu, the FDLR continues to fight alongside segments of the Congolese army (FARDC) against AFC/M23 rebels. Rwanda has repeatedly accused Kinshasa of harboring and arming genocidal forces. Over the years, the militia has claimed countless lives, including the 2019 Kinigi massacre in Rwanda’s Musanze District, which killed at least 14 civilians. Beyond killings, the FDLR has fueled ethnic hatred and spread extremist propaganda targeting Congolese Tutsi communities.
In June 2025, Rwanda and DR Congo signed a U.S.-brokered peace deal aimed at disbanding the FDLR and restoring stability. Progress has been slow, but this week both governments met in Washington, D.C., reaffirming their commitment.
