Stockholm – Sweden has summoned Rwanda’s ambassador in response to the escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), joining the European Union (EU) and other European nations in condemning the alleged involvement of the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) and the armed group M23.
In a formal statement, the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs expressed strong disapproval of Rwanda’s reported military actions, citing violations of international law and DRC’s territorial sovereignty.
Sweden reiterated calls for Rwanda to withdraw its forces and cease support for M23, emphasising the need for a regionally mediated peace process.
Rwanda Rejects Accusations
Following the summons, the Rwandan Embassy in Stockholm issued a firm rebuttal, dismissing Sweden’s allegations as unfounded.
Rwanda insisted that its military presence near the DRC border is purely defensive, aimed at countering security threats from the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR), a UN-sanctioned rebel group accused of participating in the 1994 genocide.
The statement further accused the Congolese military (FARDC) of collaborating with the FDLR and failing to curb cross-border attacks.
“Rwandans have the fundamental right to live in peace, free from the perpetual threat of insecurity emanating from the DRC,” the embassy asserted, adding that Rwanda “will not be bullied or blackmailed into compromising its national security.”
Criticism of Sweden’s Stance
The Rwandan embassy also criticised Sweden for what it described as a biased approach to the conflict, accusing the Scandinavian country of ignoring the plight of Congolese Tutsis while condemning Rwanda.
Additionally, Rwanda questioned Sweden’s alignment with Belgium, drawing attention to Belgium’s colonial history in the region and suggesting that Sweden should take a more neutral stance.
The embassy strongly rejected claims that Rwanda supports M23, arguing that the rebel group is a Congolese movement with legitimate grievances regarding the DRC government’s treatment of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese communities, particularly Tutsis.
11 Perish at Bukavu M23 Rally
The diplomatic tensions between Sweden and Rwanda come amid worsening violence in eastern DRC, where both Kinshasa and Kigali accuse each other of backing armed groups that have destabilized the region.
The latest escalation was marked by deadly explosions at a rally held by M23 rebels in Bukavu on February 27, killing 11 people and injuring 65.
Corneille Nangaa, leader of a rebel alliance that includes M23, blamed President Félix Tshisekedi’s government for the attack, though no concrete evidence was provided.
The Congolese presidency, in turn, accused a “foreign army illegally present on Congolese soil” of being responsible for the violence, a thinly veiled reference to Rwanda.
The situation in eastern DRC remains volatile, with fears that the ongoing hostilities could further entangle neighbouring countries such as Burundi, whose troops have also been deployed in the region.
Despite mounting international pressure, Rwanda remains defiant, insisting that its actions are defensive and necessary for national security. Meanwhile, Sweden and other European nations continue to push for diplomatic engagement to de-escalate the crisis.
