Land Forces Rwandan Defence Forces

rwandan soldiers carrying equipment @ kigali international airport

circa 2000 during second congo war, rwanda patriotic army unofficially admitted having 4,000 8,000 troops deployed in congo, according economist intelligence unit, believed substantial understatement. international crisis group estimated rpa has between 17,000 , 25,000 troops deployed in congo. in april 2001, united nations report on exploitation of congo, said rpa had minimum of 25,000 troops in congo, estimate report attributes “military specialists great deal of experience in region. during deployment on drc, rwandan forces fought so-called six-day war against ugandan forces on city of kisangani, leaving @ least 1,000 dead.

on 17 september 2002 first rwandan soldiers withdrawn eastern drc. on 5 october rwanda announced completion of withdrawal; monuc confirmed departure of on 20,000 rwandan soldiers.

the rdf reentered drc twice in 2009; partake in joint offensive against fdlr, , assist drc in putting down dongo rebellion. both deployments militarily successful.