On Wednesday, August 14, President Paul Kagame stated that Rwanda’s issue with the DR Congo centers on the FDLR, a militia composed of survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and supported by the Congolese government.
Speaking after the swearing-in of Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente and new Members of Parliament, Kagame noted that attempts to neutralize the FDLR over the past 30 years have only managed to sustain it.
He emphasized that Rwanda should not be held responsible for the insecurity in eastern DR Congo, criticizing the Congolese government for arming the FDLR, which it employs against the M23, despite the FDLR’s Congolese origins.
President Kagame firmly rejected any attempts to link Rwanda to the instability in eastern DR Congo by accusing it of supporting the M23 rebels.
He questioned why Rwanda should be involved with M23 if the rebels are Congolese and emphasized that it is Congo’s responsibility to address the M23 issue, especially if they choose military solutions.
Regarding threats of war from Congolese leaders, Kagame stated that he can not change their mindset but is committed to preventing any escalation. He also pointed out that any attack on Rwanda would be countered, emphasizing that Rwanda’s rights are as important as those of larger countries.
Kagame highlighted that blaming Rwanda for the conflict doesn’t address the root issue, which is the FDLR, a UN-sanctioned terrorist group that has targeted Rwanda since 2000. He stressed the need for mutual cooperation to achieve good neighborly relations, insisting that both countries need to address each other’s concerns for lasting peace.
Kagame called on the international community to establish a permanent solution for the tens of thousands of Congolese refugees residing in camps in Rwanda, instead of relocating just a few to third countries.
He stressed that these refugees should be able to return to their homeland. Kagame also highlighted that the crisis in eastern DR Congo is aggravated by the reluctance of Congolese leaders to engage in dialogue with their citizens, who are being oppressed, killed, and detained.