The Government of Rwanda has criticized the «erroneous and misguided» stance of the international community regarding the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), amidst rising tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali following the latest offensives by the rebel group March 23 Movement (M23).
Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta confirmed a conversation between the country’s President Paul Kagame and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, after which he regretted that «differences of understanding on the issue continue».
Blinken indicated after the «productive» conversation with Kagame that there is a need for «peace and security in eastern DRC.» «The United States calls on Rwanda to honor its commitments in Luanda, including ending its support for the M23,» he stressed.
In the framework of a summit in the Angolan capital to advance the normalization of diplomatic relations, DRC and Rwanda agreed to a ceasefire, as well as a withdrawal of M23 from areas recently conquered by the rebel group in the province of North Kivu (east).
In response, Biruta has said in a series of messages posted on his Twitter social network account that «the misguided and misguided stance of the international community continues to exacerbate the problem,» before stressing that «a lasting solution requires putting responsibility where it belongs.»
Thus, Biruta pointed to «the dysfunctionality of the DRC government and its institutions and its support for the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)», an armed rebel group founded and composed mainly of Hutus responsible for the 1994 genocide in the African country.
The Rwandan foreign minister further pointed to «external interference and dictates and regional and continental efforts that serve to shield the DRC from accountability and encourage them not to respond to commitments made in the ongoing processes.
On the other hand, he reiterated that «the M23 should not be equated with Rwanda». «It is not a problem for Rwanda to solve», he stressed, while stressing that «Rwanda’s security concerns must be addressed and, if others do not feel obliged to do so, Rwanda will continue to do so on its part».
Relations between the DRC and Rwanda have been in crisis since the massive influx of Rwandan Hutus into eastern DRC accused of massacring Tutsis during the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Tensions rose again in May, when the Congolese government summoned the Rwandan ambassador to denounce the alleged support of the country to the M23, something rejected by Kigali, which claims that Kinshasa gives support to the FLDR to perpetrate attacks in Rwanda.
The M23 has been accused since November 2021 of carrying out attacks against Army positions in North Kivu, despite Congolese authorities and the M23 signed in December 2013 a peace agreement following fighting since 2012 with the Army, which was supported by UN troops. UN experts accused Uganda and Rwanda of supporting the rebels, although both countries denied it.
