The ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo has sparked a war of words between Rwanda and France, as each side points fingers over the root causes and potential resolutions of the crisis.
Yolande Makolo, the spokesperson for the Rwandan government, took to social media to respond to France’s accusations of Rwanda’s support for M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo. Makolo emphasized that the real solution to the conflict lies in addressing its root causes, a task for which she implied France was well-equipped due to its historical understanding of the region.
The Congolese government, on the other hand, accuses Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels, an allegation that Rwanda dismisses. Kigali contends that the conflict in eastern DR Congo is fueled by internal issues such as governance problems, ethnic discrimination, and violence within DR Congo. Rwanda also accuses the Congolese armed forces of integrating the FDLR, a Rwandan ethnic militia with ties to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The FDLR has been sanctioned by the US for spreading hate and violence against Congolese Tutsi communities for over two decades.
Makolo stressed that the key to resolving the conflict lies in addressing the underlying issues that have fueled it. She also highlighted the importance of understanding the historical context and current situation in eastern DR Congo in order to find a meaningful resolution.
The recent escalation in hostilities in eastern DR Congo has raised regional concerns, as the conflict threatens to spiral into a larger crisis if not contained early. Efforts to revive peace processes in the region, particularly the Luanda and Nairobi initiatives, which have stagnated for months, have been gaining momentum.
The Rwandan government has expressed concerns over DR Congo’s military build-up near the countries’ border, citing a “serious threat” to Rwanda. This is in response to DR Congo’s alleged abandonment of peace processes in favor of a more aggressive stance aimed at expelling M23 rebels and Congolese Tutsi civilians into neighboring countries. Rwanda asserts its right to take legitimate measures to defend itself against this perceived threat.
The M23 rebel group, which resurfaced in November 2021 after nearly a decade, points to the Congolese government’s disregard for earlier agreements and the ongoing persecution of Congolese Tutsi communities as reasons for their resurgence.
The tensions between Rwanda, France, and DR Congo add yet another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation, with potential humanitarian and geopolitical implications for the region.
