The Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have renewed accusations over the new security developments in the eastern part of DR Congo.
In a release by the government of Rwanda titled “Response to renewed provocation by FARDC” and dated October, 24, Kigali accuses the DR Congo government of working with “militias” to destabilize its establishment, an allegation the DR Congo, has denied.
“Contrary to the assertions of the President of DRC that his country is focused on a diplomatic solution to the insecurity in eastern DRC, recent statements and actions show that the DRC Government is decided on a course of continued military escalation, Furthermore, FARDC continues to operate alongside irregular armed militias, including FDLR,” the statement reads.
Rwanda added that FARDC’s buildup to renew attacks on M23, a Congolese armed group, is in violation of the agreed regional security mechanisms, including the Nairobi and Luanda processes.
It added: “Continued public incitement on the basis of ethnicity, use of heavy weaponry, targeting of Rwanda’s border zone, and baseless accusations against Rwanda are unacceptable.”
The Rwandan government in its letters says despite the continued provocations by DRC authorities and armed forces; they remain committed to contributing to a sustainable, peaceful regional security solution within the agreed regional frameworks.
However, the Kigali government stated that the continual, unjustified attempts to make Rwanda a scapegoat for the internal political problems of DRC will continue to be categorically rejected.
Kinshasa speaks
In response, the DR Congo Government Spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, said Kinshasa has taken note of the press release issued by the Rwandan Government on Monday, October 24, 2022.
Muyaya clarified that the content of the press release reveals a new, clear and irrefutable admission that Rwanda is backing the M23.
He wondered why else a foreign Government would defend an armed terrorist group operating in another State.
“How can a national army be denied its legitimate duty to fulfill its constitutional mission of protecting its population and the legal institutions of the Republic against terrorists whose only objective is to sow death and despair?”
He revealed that the attitude of the Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, sufficiently demonstrates his strategy of permanent interference in the internal affairs of the DRC to maintain a climate of terror in the East thus enabling widespread looting which has been recognized around the world.
Muyaya said Rwanda’s position contradicts its commitments made in the various peace processes in Nairobi, Luanda, and in New York with the French President, Emmanuel Macron, where all parties agreed to put an end to the armed groups, in particular the M23.
He reiterated DRC’s commitment that there is no public incitement to hatred on the basis of ethnicity, saying it is a dangerous narrative propagated by Rwanda and aims to sow division within “our populations.”
Muyaya said if the M23 were truly defenders of a Congolese community, people would not be so displaced nor would so many die because of its barbarity.
“The Government of the DRC categorically denounces the dishonest rhetoric of Rwanda and its military activities on Congolese soil, and reminds the Rwandan Government that its interventionist and expansionist ambitions will never be tolerated,” he said, reaffirming DR Congo’s commitment to the various peace processes and determination to put an end to the criminal and terrorist activities of ‘the Rwanda backed M23’ and to defend its territorial integrity as well as its national sovereignty.
He also called on the international community to bear witness to the actions of Rwanda noting that that peace and stability in the East of the DRC is essential for the proper organization of elections in 2023.