Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ The Government of Rwanda has strongly criticized Canada and Germany for their positions on the ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo, accusing both nations of ignoring the root causes of the crisis while unfairly blaming Rwanda.
Rwanda condemned Canada on Tuesday, March 4, in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for imposing sanctions over allegations of supporting the M23 rebel group. The ministry argued that Canada has “voluntarily accused Rwanda of atrocities committed in Eastern DR Congo” while overlooking the role of the Congolese army (FARDC) and its allied militias, including the UN-sanctioned FDLR, which is linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“Canada blatantly disregards Rwanda’s security concerns while covering up 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 ministry stated. Rwanda reiterated its commitment to national security, emphasizing that it would not be deterred in its obligation to protect its citizens and sovereignty.
Rwanda also took issue with Germany, accusing Berlin of “politicizing development cooperation” in a manner that undermines peace efforts in the region. Germany announced on Tuesday that it would freeze financial commitments to Rwanda and review ongoing bilateral cooperation. The ministry labeled this decision as “wrong and counterproductive.”
“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 statement read.
The Rwandan government further criticized Germany for failing to acknowledge the threat posed by the DR Congo-backed FDLR militia. Given Germany’s historical stance against ethnic extremism, Rwanda urged Berlin to take a more principled approach.
“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 added.
Rwanda reaffirmed its stance against “one-sided, coercive measures” from external actors. “Rwanda will continue to protect its national security while remaining fully engaged in the ongoing regional peace process,” the statement concluded.
