President Paul Kagame is addressing a host of local and international Journalists in the capital Kigali.
The Rwandan leader is expected to tackle various issues on divergent subjects.
Banned Alcohol
President kagame was questioned on the recent ban on locally produced and imported liquors .
Kagame responded saying the banned Alcohol mostly substandard has been destructive to lives and health of Rwandans. “A large number of Rwandans have been dieing due to consuming these substandard alcohols.”
The president clarified that even some imported liquors have been found lacking standards and are not good for human consumption.
“One should ask how this country is managed. Why should we allow such factories to continue producing such alcohols that are killing our people,” Kagame said.
I believe these factory owners are intentionally responsible for producing such alcohols and should be questioned by the courts.
“In this fight against illicit alcohol. We will not tolerate such production even if it’s allowed in other countries,” he said.
Washington Peace AgreementÂ
The problem of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) is not complicated or difficult to understand.
The origin of the problem is known, the handling and mishandling of the same problem is also known.
The Washington Peace Agreement is a new adjustment but we still remain with the problem.
Some people want everyone to believe that it is Rwanda that is responsible. DRC and international community, Rwanda can contribute to the solution.
Fixing FDLR
According to President Kagame, “If FDLR Problem Is Not Resolved, Rwanda Will Always Remain Involved in Congo.”
President Paul Kagame has said Rwanda will continue to have a stake in the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as long as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) remains active in the country.
Kagame made the remarks on Monday, August 24, 2026, during a press conference with journalists in Kigali, where he was questioned about Rwanda’s position on the security situation in eastern DRC and its continued involvement in regional affairs.
The President said the FDLR remains at the centre of Rwanda’s security concerns, arguing that the group’s continued presence across Rwanda’s border makes the conflict impossible for Kigali to ignore.
“Our problem in Congo has always been FDLR. I can say this 100 times, and if this problem is not resolved, Rwanda will always remain involved,” Kagame said.
His comments underline Rwanda’s longstanding position that the presence of the FDLR in eastern DRC represents a direct security threat to the country.
Kagame has repeatedly argued that the roots of the conflict in eastern DRC cannot be addressed without dealing with armed groups, particularly the FDLR, which was formed by remnants of forces and militias responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
In a previous address, Kagame said Rwanda’s security concerns stem from the continued presence of the FDLR and its ideology, which he described as a threat to Rwanda. He has also criticized regional and international efforts for failing to decisively resolve the issue.
The President’s latest remarks come as efforts continue to implement commitments under the Washington peace agreement between Rwanda and the DRC.
The agreement includes measures addressing armed groups and regional security concerns, while Kinshasa has also announced plans for the disarmament, demobilization and cantonment of FDLR members.
Kagame has maintained that resolving the FDLR question is essential to achieving lasting stability in the Great Lakes region. He has previously warned that if the group remains operational along Rwanda’s border, Kigali will continue to take measures it considers necessary to protect its national security.
The President’s latest statement therefore places the FDLR issue firmly at the heart of Rwanda’s explanation for its continued interest in the eastern Congo conflict, even as diplomatic efforts seek to establish a lasting regional peace.
