Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, stated that Rwanda will not accept being blamed for the governance failures in DRC. He emphasized the persistent threats posed by the FDLR militia and called for an end to conflict through dialogue. The situation remains contentious, with accusations against Rwanda and significant humanitarian concerns in eastern DRC.
On March 10, 2025, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, the Rwandan Foreign Minister, met with Kaja Kallas, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in Brussels. During this meeting, Nduhungirehe emphasized that Rwanda is unwilling to accept the repercussions of the governance and security failures in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Nduhungirehe underscored that the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC did not originate from Rwanda, and noted the serious threat posed by the FDLR genocidal militia, which continues to operate from within DRC. He highlighted that despite expressing concerns regarding national security, these issues have frequently been overlooked or disregarded by international powers.
The conflict involves various factions, including the Congolese government’s armed forces, the FDLR militia, and the M23 which, since 2021, has formed a coalition known as the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC). The M23 group, comprised largely of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese citizens, has reclaimed significant territory in North and South Kivu provinces, including the capital of Goma.
Despite claims from the DRC government that Rwanda supports the M23, Kigali has firmly rejected these accusations. Nduhungirehe stated that the misinterpretation of the eastern DRC crisis would hinder progress towards a resolution. He accentuated the importance of ceasing hostilities and fostering dialogue between the M23 and the Congolese government to address the root causes of the conflict.
After their meeting, Kaja Kallas reiterated the DRC government’s stance regarding Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23, calling for respect for DRC’s territorial integrity. However, critics, including former German envoy Peter Fahrenholtz, have pointed out the complexity of the situation, questioning the narrative that attributes the conflict solely to Rwandan involvement.
Communications specialist David Toovey added that M23 combatants are Congolese citizens asserting their right to exist. He accused the DRC government of avoiding negotiations while using Rwanda as a scapegoat. Furthermore, Nduhungirehe argued that global actors fail to recognize the genuine threat the FDLR poses to Rwanda, asserting that the historical context of this conflict must be understood.
Lastly, Nduhungirehe condemned the violence against Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in the DRC, particularly in South Kivu, and outlined the impunity with which attacks on these groups occur. Bertrand Bisimwa of AFC/M23 echoed these sentiments, calling attention to recent aerial assaults targeting innocent civilians and the neglect of the international community in addressing these human rights violations.
In conclusion, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe articulated Rwanda’s position that it should not be held responsible for the failures of governance in the DRC. He advocated for a cessation of hostilities and political dialogue to resolve the ingrained issues leading to conflict. The complexities surrounding the accusations against Rwanda and the humanitarian crisis affecting Kinyarwanda-speaking communities must be acknowledged to foster true peace in the region.
Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw
