It’s not Rwanda versus everyone; it’s just avoiding a recalcitrant ex-partner (DR Congo)

Do you have an ex-partner who is obsessed with making up stories about you and distorting reality to the point that it would break if it were a rubber band? You feel compelled to correct the record and defend yourself as a result. That’s precisely the topic of this post.

The leaders of the Congo are that poisonous ex-boyfriend who never liked us in the first place. What about Rwandans? We are the unfortunate ones who must endure the unpleasantness that ensues from that tumultuous split. You see, Rwanda is portrayed as the antagonist in this tale, despite the fact that the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been cosying up to genocidaires. To be honest, I can see how some of our neighbors could be perplexed.

The truth is that your friends, family, and siblings don’t necessarily need to be at odds with your ex, even if you experience the most terrible breakup. While some may be glad it’s over, others will continue to stay in touch with them for personal reasons. In this instance, that includes everyone else in Africa and even outside of it.

There is always that relative in every family who has always supported your toxic ex from the beginning or who likes them for what they have to offer and will not support you for obvious reasons. Additionally, there is that shrewd friend who would rather to lose your friendship than to abandon the toxic ex. These are the few leaders of those countries that you will see pretending to be representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to be more concerned about the plight of its citizens, but in reality, they are doing nothing that doesn’t help their own bottom lines.

Other Africans are not a problem for Rwandans. You are loved by us. The North, the South, the West, and the Horn to the East. Undoubtedly, when feelings are running high, our Gen Z warriors turn to TikTok, prepared to defend their cherished Rwanda. Similar to how your mother or brother may be blinded by the pain your ex has caused you, they may vent their frustration on anyone who appears to feel sorry for your ex. They can see through the lies, though, which is why. Their pain is your pain.

So, no! The Congolese are not hated by us. We don’t. Their comedy, fashion, music, and enthusiasm are all things we adore. I adore my salsa dancing partners, many of them have chosen to settle in Rwanda because they would rather live here than in the mayhem back home. And I don’t have a problem with the people because I disagree—not to say hate—with Tshisekedi and his government.

DR Congo authorities are the source of my problem—our problem. Not with the people, who frequently have their own leaders abandon them. Therefore, we will never permit them to distort the facts and give the impression that Rwanda is hostile to Africans. That is just not true. We enjoy working together with our neighbors. We enjoy traveling to your countries, usually without a visa because, well, we’re family. Above all, we enjoy having you visit Rwanda. Propaganda will not alter that fact.

Tshisekedi and his team give the impression that Rwanda is at war with the entire globe. However, we aren’t. The only things we oppose are falsehoods and irrational charges. Divide and rule, the oldest ploy in the book, is wearing thin. But regrettably, some people continue to fall for it, which is why I’m writing this.

Here is the truth for those who truly want to know it so that we can remain lifelong best friends:

Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the world’s most unstable regions, home to more than 200 armed factions.

The Congolese government has not only failed to bring stability back, but it has also actively supported and enabled a number of these dangerous armed groups. The FDLR, an armed group sanctioned by the United Nations and the United States and founded by the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, is the most worrisome for Rwanda. They escaped to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly known as Zaire, where they have been spreading the doctrine of genocide and planning to return to Rwanda to “finish the job” for the past thirty years.

FDLR has transformed from an auxiliary army to Kinshasa’s strategic ally since 2021. The Congolese government maintains its military strategy in the face of calls for a peaceful end to the ongoing conflict involving the AFC/M23 rebellion. It has forged alliances with a group of militias known as the Wazalendo, FDLR, European mercenaries, and other foreign forces, including over 10,000 Burundian troops and SAMIDRC forces from the SADC region, all of which are supported by the UN mission, MONUSCO.

This is a national security issue for Rwanda, not merely a political one. With the goal of invading Rwanda, the FDLR has terrorized Congolese people that speak Kinyarwanda for thirty years. This poses a threat to existence. We have implemented robust defensive measures as a result.Because, let’s face it, you would act similarly if you were in our shoes.

Indeed, for the last two years, Rwanda has strengthened its boundaries. We don’t want conflict, but we don’t want violence, hatred, and instability to spread throughout our nation.

We will not allow anyone—not Tshisekedi, not the FDLR, and not any shrewd politician—to take away the peace, unity, and advancement that we have spent three decades establishing.

We can tell you understand because you would also defend your house if you were in our position.