Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ernest Rwamucyo, has criticized the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government for its handling of the ongoing security crisis in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels are advancing towards Goma city. Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on Sunday, January 26, Rwamucyo asserted that the conflict “could have been averted” if the Congolese government had prioritized dialogue over military action.
The situation in North Kivu Province has deteriorated significantly, with the rebel group M23 capturing key towns, including Minova in South Kivu Province. The Congolese government has suffered heavy losses, including the death of North Kivu Provincial Governor Peter Cirimwami in Sake, near Goma.
Ambassador Rwamucyo argued that the DRC government’s dismissal of dialogue and preference for militarization has exacerbated the crisis. He emphasized that the conflict is rooted in deeper governance issues and collaboration between the Congolese army and the FDLR, a group implicated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
“For decades, the FDLR has found sanctuary in the DRC, where it recruits fighters, spreads anti-Tutsi ideology, and engages in ethnic cleansing,” Rwamucyo said. He accused the Congolese government of forming alliances with the FDLR and other groups, including Wazalendo militias and foreign mercenaries, posing an existential threat to Rwanda’s security.
Fighting has moved closer to Rwanda’s border, with gunfire recently heard in Rubavu District. Rwamucyo described Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s rhetoric about regime change in Rwanda as “destabilizing and unacceptable.”
The Rwandan envoy also raised concerns about the involvement of MONUSCO, the UN mission in DR Congo, accusing it of overstepping its peacekeeping mandate by supporting the FDLR and other armed groups. He warned that MONUSCO risks becoming a belligerent force in the conflict, undermining its role to protect civilians.
Rwamucyo criticized the international community for failing to condemn the use of foreign mercenaries in the conflict, highlighting violations of the 1977 Organization of African Unity Convention and the 1989 UN Convention Against the Use of Mercenaries.
He urged a return to diplomatic and political processes, emphasizing Rwanda’s commitment to the Luanda and Nairobi peace initiatives. “We need to address the root causes of this conflict and find sustainable solutions,” Rwamucyo said, calling for greater involvement by African actors in partnership with the international community.
Drawing parallels to the 2012–2013 crisis when M23 briefly seized Goma, Rwamucyo noted the failure to implement political solutions at the time. He emphasized the importance of addressing underlying issues to prevent a recurrence.
“We now stand at a critical juncture where we must prioritize dialogue, diplomacy, and practical solutions to resolve this crisis,” Rwamucyo concluded, reaffirming Rwanda’s support for peaceful resolution efforts and its commitment to regional stability.
