Minister Jean-Damascène Bizimana criticized the UN Group of Experts for bias against Rwanda in their reports regarding the DR Congo. He highlighted ongoing issues with the FDLR militia and questioned the credibility of specific experts due to personal and financial conflicts of interest. Amidst international sanctions on Rwanda concerning alleged support for rebel groups, he noted a lack of action against incitements of violence within the region.
Jean-Damascène Bizimana, the Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, has criticized the UN Group of Experts regarding their reports on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). He expressed concerns of bias, suggesting that their findings are skewed against Rwanda. These remarks were made during a governmental meeting aimed at addressing the genocidal ideology prevalent in the region and strategizing countermeasures.
Since 2008, several international bodies, including the UN Security Council and the African Union, have condemned the FDLR, a genocidal militia, and insisted on its disarmament. Despite these decisions, Minister Bizimana pointed out that the FDLR continues to operate without hinderance in DR Congo, questioning the efficacy and credibility of the UN experts assigned to the situation.
Bizimana presented specific instances of partiality among the UN experts, emphasizing the case of Roberto Garreton from Chile, who led the UN experts from 1994 to 2001. He accused Garreton of promoting a narrative that portrayed the Tutsi as a group seeking control over the Great Lakes Region. Minister Bizimana noted that during Kofi Annan’s tenure, Garreton’s reports were subjected to Rwanda’s review, a practice he believes should still be maintained in current UN proceedings.
Another critical figure mentioned was Steve Hege, an American expert who led the UN Group from 2010 to 2013, and who partnered with Jason Stearns to establish a mineral extraction business in DR Congo. This connection raised concerns about Hege’s impartiality, suggesting conflicts of interest arise when UN experts are involved in business operations within the region.
Minister Bizimana also highlighted Bernard Leloup, a Belgian expert, whose academic connections raise doubts about his neutrality. He pointed out that Leloup’s negative sentiments towards President Kagame are reflected in his writings, questioning the UN’s decision-making in appointing experts lacking impartiality.
As Western nations impose sanctions on Rwanda based on allegations of support for the M23 rebel group, which seeks to address the grievances of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese, Bizimana asserted that Rwanda’s actions are driven by security concerns related to its historical adversaries.
Despite widespread incitements against the Tutsi population and overwhelming rhetoric from Congolese leaders, Minister Bizimana commented on the lack of international response to these humanitarian issues, illustrating ongoing challenges in the region’s stability and peace.
In summary, Minister Jean-Damascène Bizimana’s critique of the UN Group of Experts underscores concerns regarding bias and conflicts of interest within their analyses of the DR Congo situation. He argues that historical prejudices and vested interests impair their objectivity. Furthermore, as Rwanda grapples with external allegations and its internal security challenges, this discourse highlights the complexities of maintaining regional peace amidst enduring ideological divides and external interventions.
Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw
