M23: Kagame Denies Involvement of Rwanda in the DR-Congo Conflict

President Paul Kagame has taken a firm stance on the ongoing M23 rebels operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

During the AU summit on Saturday, February 15, he blatantly denied Rwanda’s involvement in the DRC conflict or supporting M23 rebels as reported earlier. Kagame said that they are not involved with the M23 rebels, but emphasized that Rwanda will do whatever is necessary to defend itself.

He also pointed out that the conflict originated from DRC’s failure to address security threats like Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR ), which according to him, is being harbored by them while they put the blame on Rwanda.

“Without a second thought, I will turn my guns to the existential threat. We have faced existential threat for years,” Kagame firmly said.

There were calls for dialogue at the summit amidst the tension, with UN secretary -General Antonio Guterres, giving a warning against regional escalation, and encouraged peaceful ways of conflict resolution.

Additionally, different African leaders, the AU and UN showed concern over the situation. as European Union (EU), proposed further measures, as away of responding to the territorial integrity of DRC.

Reportedly, Paul Kagame and DRC president, Felix Tshisekedi did not attend the specific AU peace and security council session discussing the conflict, which validates prior allegations that there seems to be a significant tension between Kagame and Tshisekedi, which is complicating mediation efforts.

Although there were no concrete solutions announced from the AU summit regarding the conflict, they called for de-escalation, dialogue and immediate ceasefire.

The ongoing conflict is an aftermath of a long-term, protracted historical ethnic tension, with Rwanda’s involvement under president Kagame’s order being denounced for escalating the conflict to defend its national interest.

” I want to assure you that Rwanda’s security and sovereignty will always be safeguarded, no matter the circumstance.” Kagame added.

The tension in DRC is one tough headache for the newly elected African Union Chairperson (AUC) Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, foreign affairs minister of Djibouti, who won the seat with 33 votes, defeating Kenyan candidate Raila Odinga, who dropped from the race at the sixth round.