The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) is an armed rebel group primarily operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Formed in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, the group includes former members of the Rwandan army and Hutu militias who fled across the border following the victory of the Rwandan Patriotic Front.

Recent accounts from former FDLR officers have shed light on the group's internal structure and the persistence of its core ideology. According to these testimonies, the group’s identity is deeply rooted in an anti-Tutsi sentiment that was cultivated during the 1994 genocide. This ideology has served as a primary mechanism for recruitment and internal cohesion for nearly thirty years. While the group has faced significant military pressure and international sanctions, analysts note that the ideology remains a central pillar of its survival strategy. The persistence of this rhetoric continues to exacerbate regional tensions, particularly between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as both nations frequently trade accusations regarding the group's support and military activities. The FDLR remains a focal point for international observers concerned with stability in the Great Lakes region of Africa.