DR Congo insecurity is falsely attributed to Rwanda, while the real culprits remain unpunished, according to Kagame
President Paul Kagame has denied allegations that the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) is behind purported massacres in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), claiming that the Congolese army, Wazalendo militias, and the FDLR are responsible for the atrocities but that they go unreported.
“Firsthand reports from people traveling to eastern DR Congo indicate improvements in the region since the AFC/M23 rebels took control of Goma and Bukavu and surrounding areas,” President Kagame said on Monday, August 25, while speaking to officers from the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS), Rwanda National Police (RNP), and Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF).
They tell us how things are now and that life is better there than it was before they returned. However, not everyone sees it, which does not imply that it is untrue,” he stated.
He chastised international media outlets and journalists for blaming Rwanda and RDF for the region’s issues.
The UN Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) and OHCHR claimed in a joint report published on August 6 that the rebels killed 319 people and injured 169 others in four villages in Rutshuru Territory between July 9 and July 21.
The RDF allegedly supported the rebels and “aided” in the executions, according to the investigation.
“Foreign journalists from these nations attempt to attribute the issues to the RDF, Rwanda, and AFC/M23. The RDF would not behave as they assert if it were involved, Kagame stated.
Do you recall the mercenaries and other travelers who went through Rwanda and were taken home safely? The RDF was that. The RDF would have killed if that had been their goal.
Kagame emphasized that although the FDLR, a militia established by those responsible for the 1994 Genocide, has carried out blatant atrocities against the Tutsi, Wazalendo, and the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing people and sending refugees to neighboring countries, these incidents are rarely documented.
He remarked, “This explains why they want it to look like Rwanda is to blame for every issue that happens there.”
Regarding Rwanda’s military posture, Kagame stated: “We fight those who have been declared against us; we do not start war on anyone.” That is the RDF’s and Rwanda’s guiding principle and culture.
The president stated that Rwanda provides assistance to those without security upon request in order to assist them in overcoming their difficulties.
He went on to say that Rwanda has helped nations like South Sudan, Mozambique, and the Central African Republic.
Even Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo would have sent aid if asked, the head of state said.
Rather, they created issues for us and held us accountable for them. Although, of course, things do not always turn out as one wants, that has always been our aim if they had sought sincere cooperation to secure their security while we protected ours, Kagame stated.
