Sylvestre Mudacumura

Who is Sylvestre Mudacumura?

Sylvestre Mudacumura is the overall commander of the military wing of the rebel Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, known as the Forces Combattants Abacunguzi. He was the deputy commander of the Presidential Guard of the Rwandan Armed Forces during the 1994 genocide. Described as being age 55 in 2009, prior to the genocide he attended "the leadership academy of the armed forces in Hamburg" on a two year scholarship. Following the genocide, it is believed Mudacumura's wife and children were moved to Germany with the help of FDLR political leader Ignace Murwanashyaka.

Mudacumura is an FDLR 'westerner', belonging to the group of rebels who were previously based in Kamina and fought alongside the Forces Armées Congolaise, as opposed to the group that stayed in the Kivus. Since 2003, there has been tension within the FDLR as Mudacumura has replaced 'easterners' with 'westerners' in the command structure. He is implicated in the December 2006 death of the former FOCA second in command, Colonel Jean Baptist Kanyandekwe, who died of poisoning at a party thrown by the FOCA head. Kanyandekwe is said to have led a faction advocating for the end of hostilities and the return of the rebels to Rwanda.