Canada and Germany are criticized by Rwanda for their positions on the DR Congo situation

Canada and Germany’s stance on the current conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has drawn criticism from the Rwandan government, which claims that both nations are unfairly blaming Rwanda for the situation while ignoring its underlying roots.

The Congolese government has been “off the hook for numerous violations” that have intensified the fight with M23 rebels and put Rwanda’s security at risk, according to the administration.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday, March 4, that it had called in Canada’s High Commissioner to discuss Ottawa’s sanctions on Rwanda due to claims of backing for the M23 rebel group.

While ignoring the role of the Congolese army (FARDC) and its affiliated militias, such as the UN-sanctioned FDLR, which is connected to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the ministry criticized Canada for “voluntarily accusing Rwanda of atrocities committed in Eastern DR Congo.”

The ministry stated in a statement that Canada “blatantly disregards Rwanda’s security concerns; and the covering up of the persecution of Congolese Tutsi communities in North and South Kivu, as well as in Ituri, by the [Congolese] Government and its allied FDLR genocidal militia.”

The government emphasized that Rwanda will not be dissuaded from its duty to defend its citizens and sovereignty, highlighting its dedication to national security.

Germany was also criticized by Rwanda, which said Berlin was “politicizing development cooperation” in a way that hampered regional peace initiatives. Germany announced on Tuesday that it would evaluate current bilateral cooperation and freeze funding obligations to Rwanda.

Germany’s politicization of bilateral cooperation over the DR Congo war, according to the ministry, was “wrong and counterproductive.”

“Germany contradicts its own claims of supporting an African-led process to resolve the conflict in eastern [DR Congo] by letting [the Congolese government] off the hook for its violations, which only reinforces its belligerent posture and needlessly prolongs the conflict,” said the statement.

Germany, a country that has long highlighted the perils of ethnic extremism, should have the guts to recognize the threat posed by FDLR militias backed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the foreign ministry added.

“Germany demonstrates a complete lack of courage by ignoring the threat posed by DRC-backed FDLR genocidal militias to Rwanda and to Congolese Tutsi communities in eastern DR Congo, especially in a country that prides itself on taking seriously the warning signs of ethnic extremism,” the statement continued.

Rwanda emphasized that “one-sided, coercive measures” from outside parties would not be tolerated.

“Rwanda will continue to protect its national security while remaining fully engaged in the ongoing regional peace process,” said the statement.