End your support for M23, US tells Rwanda

The United States of America has called on Rwanda to end its support for M23 rebel group that is currently fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In a statement by the Department of State spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, US said Rwanda must also withdraw all her troops from the DRC territory.

The US insisted that Rwanda must respect the sovereignty of the DRC.

“The United States calls on the leaders of Rwanda to end their support for M23, itself already designated by both the United States and the UN, and withdraw all Rwandan Defence Force troops from DRC territory.

“We call on Rwanda to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC,” Bruce said.

 The US further called on the governments of Rwanda and the DRC to bring to book all involved in the atrocities committed in the process of M23 occupying cities in the DRC.

“We also urge the Governments of Rwanda and the DRC to hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations and abuses.

“The persistence of conflict impedes economic development and dissuades US businesses from investing in both Rwanda and the DRC—a loss for the region and the American people.”

This comes even as Rwanda insists that its involvement in the ongoing security posture in the ongoing conflict in the DRC, is a defensive measure over serious threats along its border.

Responding to a summon by the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Rwanda argued that their operations follow the escalating security risks, particularly after the recent attacks on the Rubavu border town on January 26.

This attack, which followed the fall of Goma, it said, resulted in 16 fatalities and 177 civilian casualties within Rwanda’s borders.

“Rwanda continues to face existential security from DRC-backed FDLR, genocidal militia which was involved in the shelling incident in June 2022, just weeks before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali,” a statement from Rwandan High Commission in UK said.

Rwanda maintains that FDLR, supported by the Congolese government, remains a major destabilising force in the region.

“DRC cannot just tell us to keep quiet when they are mounting a security problem against our country. Nobody can tell us to shut up. We have been begging DRC and its leaders for a long time, we have shared our issues and asked DRC to address them, and they have refused.”

On February 9, President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, said his country cannot take responsibility for the ongoing crisis in the DRC.

In a statement, Kagame said the crisis was started by the DRC and Rwanda was forced to carry the blame, which they will not.

“This war was started by the DRC and not anything from Rwanda. It was just brought and put on our shoulders, and we were told to own it. We can’t own it. There is no question about it,” Kagame said.