Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, has stated that the United States’ continued targeting of Rwanda cannot bring lasting peace to the Great Lakes region.
Speaking during an interview with Russia’s RT television network, Minister Nduhungirehe explained that several issues surrounding the ongoing conflicts in Africa’s Great Lakes region, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), are frequently misunderstood or misrepresented.
Rwanda’s Security Concerns and the Conflict in Eastern DRC
Minister Nduhungirehe explained that Rwanda has implemented defensive measures to protect its national security against potential threats originating from the DRC, particularly those posed by the FDLR, an armed group operating within Congolese territory that Rwanda considers a terrorist organization.
He emphasized that Rwanda is not a party to the fighting in eastern DRC, describing the conflict as an internal Congolese struggle involving the FRN, formerly known as AFC/M23, and armed forces aligned with the government in Kinshasa.
According to the Foreign Minister, the peace agreement signed between Rwanda and the DRC in Washington last year offered an opportunity to resolve the longstanding tensions between the two neighboring countries. Meanwhile, the Doha negotiations were intended to address the grievances raised by the FRN movement.
However, Nduhungirehe maintained that the principal obstacle to implementing these agreements remains the Congolese government’s lack of political will, particularly regarding its obligation under the Washington Agreement to dismantle the FDLR.
Lack of Political Will Threatens Peace Agreements
Minister Nduhungirehe expressed concern that the peace initiatives facilitated through Washington and Doha have yet to produce the desired results because of insufficient political commitment to their implementation.
He stated: “However, the challenge we continue to face is the political will to implement these agreements. We have the Washington Agreement and the Doha Declaration of Principles, which could bring lasting peace to the region, but the political will is lacking.”
The United States has criticized Rwanda for maintaining its defensive measures and has imposed sanctions targeting members of the Rwandan armed forces and certain military officials, mining companies, the Ministry of Defence, and Zigama CSS, a financial institution serving members of Rwanda’s security institutions.
Rwanda Questions Washington’s Approach to Mediation
Minister Nduhungirehe expressed Rwanda’s dissatisfaction with what he described as an unbalanced approach by the United States toward implementing the Washington peace agreement.
He explained that rather than examining the responsibilities of both signatories, Washington has continued to focus its attention on Rwanda while the Congolese government has failed to dismantle the FDLR.
He stated: “We are also disappointed by the way American mediation is being conducted because it is biased, focusing on only one side, Rwanda, and this cannot bring lasting peace to the region.”
President Tshisekedi’s Role in International Mediation
Minister Nduhungirehe further explained that DRC President Félix Tshisekedi personally sought assistance from the United States and Qatar to help resolve the challenges facing his country.
However, according to the Rwandan Foreign Minister, President Tshisekedi has subsequently refused to implement the commitments reached through those diplomatic initiatives.
Despite these challenges, Minister Nduhungirehe reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities in pursuit of regional peace and stability, in accordance with the provisions of the Washington Peace Agreement.
He emphasized that Rwanda would continue honoring its obligations to support the establishment of lasting peace throughout the Great Lakes region.
