Originally known as Umbumwé ("Solidarity"), FROLINA was founded in the mid-1980s by Joseph Karumba,[1] a former schoolteacher[2] and ex-member of the National Forces of Liberation (Parti pour la libération du peuple Hutu, PALIPEHUTU).

Composed of militant Hutu refugees from Burundi, the group launched its first insurgent attack on the Burundian military in Mabandal on 13 August 1990.

Afterwards, Karumba was repeatedly arrested in his country of exile, Tanzania, and the local authorities attempted to suppress his small militant group.

[1] After talks took place between Burundian President Pierre Buyoya and Karumba,[4] the party signed the Arusha Accords in August 2000.

[1] Though part of FROLINA refused to agree to the Arusha Accords, and continued its insurgency,[5] the rest of the party adhered to the ceasefire.