The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has rejected claims that the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group handed over 20 fighters from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) to Kigali.

M23 announced that the fighters belonged to the FDLR, a militia founded by ethnic Hutus who were involved in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. However, the Congolese government dismissed the claim as “fabricated.”

Rwanda has long accused the DRC of harboring the FDLR, citing it as a security threat. Kigali has repeatedly vowed to take action against the group, which it considers hostile.

Tensions between the two countries remain high as fighting continues in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels have gained ground in recent months.