Joseph Isangura
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has dismissed claims that his country’s military is operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), despite ongoing conflict in the region.
Speaking in an interview with CNN on January 3, 2025, Kagame responded to a direct question about the presence of Rwandan forces in DRC by saying, “I am not aware.”
His response has drawn attention, given his position as the Commander-in-Chief of Rwanda’s military. Kagame further elaborated, “There are many things I am not aware of. But if you ask me whether there is a problem in Congo that involves Rwanda, and if Rwanda will do everything possible to defend itself, I will answer 100%.”
The situation in eastern DRC has become increasingly volatile, with the Congolese army (FARDC) engaged in heavy clashes with the M23 rebel group. The rebels recently claimed to have taken control of Goma, a key city near the border with Rwanda. Reports indicate that the conflict has led to the deaths of more than 700 people, while over 2,300 have been wounded.
For years, DRC has accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels, an allegation that Kigali has consistently denied. With the latest escalation, Kinshasa is now pushing for international sanctions against Rwanda, urging global powers to intervene. Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya has called for stronger measures, stating that sanctions are necessary to force Rwanda to engage in peace talks.
The international community is divided on the issue. Some leaders, including former UK Conservative Foreign Minister Andrew Mitchell, have warned against cutting aid to Rwanda. Mitchell argued that isolating Rwanda would be counterproductive and stressed the need for dialogue. However, his stance has been met with criticism due to his past business ties with organizations linked to Kigali.
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Meanwhile, the United Nations has raised alarms over the crisis. UN reports suggest that Rwandan troops and weapons have supported the M23 rebellion, though Rwanda has repeatedly denied these claims. The UN Security Council has urged all foreign forces in the region to withdraw, but it has stopped short of directly naming Rwanda as an aggressor.
With tensions at their peak, regional leaders are now pushing for diplomatic solutions. Presidents Félix Tshisekedi of DRC and Paul Kagame of Rwanda are expected to attend a high-level summit on February 7-8, 2025, where discussions will focus on de-escalating the crisis. The world is watching closely, hoping that diplomacy will prevail and prevent further bloodshed in a region long plagued by conflict.
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