The Rwandan government has issued a statement addressing the deteriorating situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), expressing concern over the lack of important context in statements made by various parties.
“Rwanda notes with concern the lack of important context in statements issued by various parties on the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo,” the statement said.
The statement reveals that the late Maj Gen Peter Cirimwami, the Military Governor of North Kivu who was killed during fighting around Sake, served as a liaison with the FDLR rebel group and was responsible for sabotaging planned operations by the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) to neutralize the leaders of the FDLR.
“The United Nations confirmed in their reports that the late Maj Gen Peter Cirimwami, the Military Governor of North Kivu who was killed during fighting around Sake, served as liaison with the FDLR and was responsible for sabotaging planned operations by the FARDC to neutralize the leaders of the FDLR,” the statement said.
The ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, particularly the recent heavy fighting around Goma, has been triggered by constant violations of the ceasefire by the FARDC in coalition with UN-sanctioned genocidal militia FDLR, European mercenaries, ethnic militias (Wazalendo), Burundian armed forces, SAMIDRC forces, and MONUSCO troops.
The statement notes that Cirimwami’s role in protecting the FDLR has contributed to the escalation of the conflict, as the Rwandan Hutu rebel group is viewed as a major threat to Rwanda’s security. Rwanda’s government has expressed its commitment to finding a political solution to the conflict.
“Rwanda is committed to the pursuit of a political solution to the conflict,” the statement said.
However, the breakdown of the Luanda process, following the refusal by the Government of the DRC to dialogue with the M23 rebel group, and the consistent refusal to address the root causes of the conflict in eastern DRC, has resulted in the intensification and prolongation of the fighting, and perpetual security threats to neighboring countries, including Rwanda.
The statement emphasizes that the resurgence of M23 in late 2021 did not originate in Rwanda, and the Congolese Tutsi community that the M23 represents are not conflated with Rwanda. The M23, a Congolese rebel group fighting to protect their community in eastern DRC, cannot be accused of violating the “territorial integrity” of their own country.
“It is important to recall that the resurgence of M23 in late 2021 did not originate in Rwanda, although the Government of DRC has scapegoated Rwanda as the Congolese Tutsi community that the M23 represents are conflated with Rwanda. The M23, a Congolese rebel group fighting to protect their community in eastern DRC cannot be accused of violating ‘territorial integrity’ of their own country,” the statement said.
Rwanda said that it remains committed to a political solution to the conflict, but the Luanda process must not be personalized or taken as an end in itself, but as a tool to resolve security concerns between Rwanda and the DRC.
It also said that both the Luanda and Nairobi processes urgently require new impetus to achieve sustainable peace and stability for all the countries in the region.
