The Government of Rwanda has strongly criticised Canada and Germany for their stance on the ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo, accusing both nations of disregarding the root causes of the crisis while unfairly blaming Rwanda for the turmoil.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, March 4, the Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Canada for imposing sanctions on Rwanda over allegations of supporting the M23 rebel group. The government argued that Ottawa had failed to hold the Congolese government accountable for numerous violations that have escalated the conflict and threatened Rwanda’s security.
The ministry further criticised Canada for “voluntarily accusing Rwanda of atrocities committed in Eastern DR Congo” while ignoring the role of the Congolese army (FARDC) and its allied militias, such as the UN-sanctioned FDLR, which is linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“Canada blatantly disregards Rwanda’s security concerns; and the covering up of the [Congolese] Government and its allied FDLR genocidal militia’s persecution of Congolese Tutsi communities in North and South Kivu, as well as in Ituri,” the statement read.
Rwanda reaffirmed its commitment to national security, vowing that it would not be deterred in its obligation to protect its citizens and sovereignty.
Rwanda also took issue with Germany’s recent decision to freeze financial commitments to Kigali and review ongoing bilateral cooperation, accusing Berlin of “politicising development cooperation” in a way that undermines peace efforts in the region.
The ministry stated that Germany’s decision was “wrong and counterproductive,” arguing that Berlin’s stance contradicts its stated support for an African-led peace process. Rwanda accused Germany of allowing the Congolese government to evade accountability, which only prolongs the conflict.
“Germany contradicts its own claims of supporting an African-led process to resolve the conflict in eastern [DR Congo] by letting [the Congolese government] off the hook for its violations, which only reinforces its belligerent posture and needlessly prolongs the conflict,” the ministry said.
Furthermore, the statement criticised Germany for failing to acknowledge the threat posed by DR Congo-backed FDLR militias.
“For a country which prides itself on taking seriously the warning signs of ethnic extremism, Germany shows an utter lack of courage by ignoring the threat posed by DRC-backed FDLR genocidal militias to Rwanda, as well as to Congolese Tutsi communities in eastern DR Congo,” the statement read.
The Rwandan government stressed that it would not accept “one-sided, coercive measures” from external actors and reaffirmed its commitment to engaging in regional peace processes while safeguarding national security.
“Rwanda will continue to protect its national security while remaining fully engaged in the ongoing regional peace process,” the statement concluded.
