Rwanda has refuted claims made by DRC Prime Minister Judith Suminwa regarding an alleged agreement to present a troop withdrawal plan. During the Rebranding Africa Forum in Brussels, Suminwa stated that Rwanda had, for the first time, committed to drafting a plan to withdraw over 4,000 troops stationed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), calling it a significant step toward peace in the region.
However, Rwandan Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe responded by dismissing these assertions, clarifying that no such agreement was reached during the recent ministerial meeting in Luanda on October 12, 2024, or elsewhere. “With all due respect to HE Madam Prime Minister Suminwa Judith, her ministers provided her with incorrect information. Rwanda has never, in Luanda or elsewhere, ‘agreed to present a withdrawal plan for more than 4,000 soldiers,’” stated Nduhungirehe.
He further emphasized that this supposed commitment was not recorded in the official minutes of the 5th ministerial meeting in Luanda.
The conflicting statements have put a spotlight on the Luanda process, a diplomatic effort aimed at fostering peace and cooperation in the eastern DRC, where tensions have persisted for years.
While the DRC government viewed the reported agreement as a diplomatic breakthrough, Rwanda’s denial introduces new uncertainties, potentially affecting ongoing peace negotiations and regional stability efforts.
