The French newspaper, Jeune Afrique, published an interview with President Paul Kagame on March 25.
Kagame expressed deep concern over Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi’s actions, highlighting how Tshisekedi’s manipulation has extended beyond individual leaders to entire regions, causing misunderstandings and tensions.
Kagame emphasized the need for constructive dialogue to prevent Tshisekedi from unilaterally dictating terms that could destabilize the region.
He said that, “Tshisekedi has been able to manipulate individual leaders, countries, now regions, and almost bringing a misunderstanding within and among regions.”
In addition to his concerns about regional stability, Kagame’s stance on Tshisekedi’s actions reflects Rwanda’s historical ties with the DRC.
Rwanda has previously intervened in the DRC’s conflicts, citing security concerns and the need to address threats posed by armed groups like the FDLR, M23 and hundreds of others.
When questioned about Tshisekedi’s conditions for a potential meeting, Kagame criticized the approach of setting preconditions.
He argued that such conditions only serve to hinder progress towards peace and urged for genuine dialogue without predetermined ultimatums. Kagame emphasized, “You start by giving conditions. It’s the wrong way to go about it.”
Rwanda’s stance on preconditions for dialogue reflects its commitment to resolving conflicts through diplomatic means rather than imposing demands that could escalate tensions further.
Kagame’s emphasis on the importance of dialogue underscores Rwanda’s role as a regional mediator and advocate for peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Regarding allegations of Rwandan troop presence in eastern Congo, Kagame vehemently denied the accusations and questioned the motives behind them.
He challenged the notion that Rwanda would intervene without legitimate reasons and highlighted the humanitarian aspect of the conflict, particularly the plight of refugees fleeing violence in the DRC.
Kagame stated, “Why, in any case? Would Rwanda be involved if it were?”
Rwanda’s denial of involvement in eastern Congo aligns with its efforts to refute accusations of interference in the DRC’s internal affairs.
Despite past military interventions, Rwanda has consistently denied allegations of ongoing military involvement in the DRC, emphasizing its commitment to regional stability and respect for the DRC’s sovereignty.
Kagame emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of the conflict in eastern Congo and criticized the fragmented nature of current peace processes.
He called for greater coordination and alignment of regional efforts to effectively tackle the underlying issues fueling the conflict.
Kagame wondered; “How can you have peace by just addressing one element of hundreds of things that need to be considered?”
Rwanda’s call for comprehensive approaches to conflict resolution reflects its recognition of the complex dynamics at play in the DRC and the need for multifaceted strategies to achieve lasting peace.
By advocating for coordinated regional efforts, Rwanda seeks to address the interconnected challenges facing the Great Lakes region and promote sustainable peace and development.
Responding to concerns about Tshisekedi’s provocative statements, Kagame affirmed the seriousness of the threats and the need for vigilance.
He underscored the potential dangers posed by inflammatory rhetoric and stressed the importance of proactive measures to safeguard Rwanda’s security. Kagame stated, “Why wouldn’t I take it seriously?”…I don’t think he even has the incapacity to understand the implications of what he’s saying as the leader of the country…for me, that in itself is a problem. It’s a very serious problem I need to prepare for and take care of. That means one night he can wake up and do something that you never thought normal people would do.”
Rwanda’s response to perceived threats reflects its commitment to maintaining national security and stability in the face of external challenges.
Kagame’s emphasis on the need for vigilance underscores Rwanda’s proactive approach to security issues and its readiness to defend against potential threats to its sovereignty.
When asked about solidarity with the M23 rebel group and the Congolese Tutsi community, Kagame emphasized the moral imperative to stand against injustice and oppression.
He condemned the involvement of groups like the FDLR in exacerbating tensions and called for concerted efforts to address the root causes of conflict.
Kagame is of the view that, “whether it is in Congo or anywhere else, when there is an oppression, when there is injustice…”, a rightful intervention is necessary, a justification for Rwanda’s support for marginalized communities in the DRC, and a reflection of its commitment to promoting human rights and addressing the root causes of conflict in the region.
By advocating for justice and accountability, Rwanda seeks to foster reconciliation and stability in the Great Lakes region, recognizing the importance of addressing grievances to achieve lasting peace.
Regarding deteriorating relations with Burundi, Kagame raised concerns about intelligence reports suggesting Burundian troop movements in support of the DRC government.
“When we detected through intelligence, we learned that Burundi was preparing and sending troops to Goma and the northeastern Congo to fight them… I called President Ndaishimiye…I asked him, ‘President, I have heard that, you are sending a force, another force other than that one, the East African Regional Force to fight on behalf of the government of Kinshasa.'”
“I told him it is in contradiction with why the East African regional force that ‘you are participating in…so you are going to participate in something else.”
“And I told him, ‘this is dangerous and you understand the implication. You are threatening us with your presence in support of FDLR near our border.'”
“He swore to me that that’s not true. He said no, ‘whoever told me must have told me lies’, and I said, ‘I am happy to be wrong. If I am wrong, well and good, I am really happy to hear that.'”
“But two weeks after, they were in Goma. Or even less than two weeks. So you can see, he even told me lies.”
Kagame warned against the potential escalation of tensions and criticized the primitive politics based on ethnicity. Kagame stated, “We still have primitive politics going on based on ethnicity.”
Rwanda’s concerns about Burundi’s involvement in the DRC conflict highlight the complex regional dynamics and the risks of proxy warfare exacerbating tensions in the Great Lakes region.
Kagame’s criticism of ethnic-based politics underscores Rwanda’s commitment to promoting inclusive governance and addressing the root causes of conflict in neighboring countries.
Finally, Kagame warned of the existential threat posed by the crisis in eastern Congo, citing the spread of hate speech and ideology.
He emphasized the urgent need for concerted international efforts to promote peace, stability, and reconciliation in the region. “The hate speech, the preaching of this hate ideology, which leads to genocide, and which is unfolding in Eastern Congo by groups other than just FDR. It’s no longer an issue of numbers.”
Rwanda’s concerns about the spread of hate speech and ideology in the DRC highlight the risks of ethnic tensions escalating into widespread violence and instability.
Kagame’s call for international action underscores Rwanda’s commitment to regional peace and security and its willingness to collaborate with other nations to address shared challenges in the Great Lakes region.
Watch full interview below: