GOMA: Rwanda Finally Reveals Why Her Army is in The DR Congo
Rwanda has firmly defended its participation in the ongoing security operation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), describing it as a defensive action in the face of major threats near its border.
Rwanda said that their activities were in response to growing security dangers, notably following the recent attacks on the Rubavu border town on January 26.
Kagame was responding to a summons from the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
This attack, which followed the fall of Goma, it said, resulted in 16 deaths and 177 civilian casualties within Rwanda’s boundaries.
“Rwanda continues to face existential security from DRC-backed FDLR, a genocidal militia which was involved in the shelling incident in June 2022, just weeks before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali,” the statement from Rwandan High Commission reads.
UPDATE: The Rwandan High Commission in the UK has addressed the FCDO summons, reaffirming #Rwanda’s right to self-defense against border security threats.
— Insights (@soweto_p1) February 19, 2025
It urges the UK to back regional peace efforts and ensure accountability for genocide fugitives still residing in the UK. pic.twitter.com/f7mhwuyuoN
In a statement issued on February 18, the United Kingdom denounced the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) and M23 advances in eastern DRC.
“These advances constitute an unacceptable violation of DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Government of Rwanda must immediately withdraw all Rwanda Defence Force troops from Congolese territory,” an FCDO spokesperson said.
“We urge Rwanda to immediately cease all hostilities and return to dialogue through African-led peace processes.”
However, Rwanda has maintained that the FDLR, which is backed by the Congolese government, remains a key destabilizing influence in the region.
It has defended itself as a dedicated contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, known for upholding the greatest standards of conduct and operational integrity.
UK,US, FRANCE & UN: Sanction Rwanda.
— Murenzi Abdallaziz (@MAbdallaziz) February 20, 2025
RUSSIA: Ambassador has condemned a "well-known but intentionally neglected subject" regarding the use of mercenaries by Tshisekedi in eastern DRC.
Also added “this is neo-colonial double standards on full display” referring to western… pic.twitter.com/dcVbbBNdEm
This has generated worries about the difficulties encountered when UN peacekeeping forces such as MONUSCO become involved with the Congolese military coalition, which includes the FDLR.
It stated that such entanglements hamper efforts to attain regional peace and stability by blurring the distinctions between peacekeepers and combatants.
The continued advance into DRC of M23 and the Rwandan Defence Forces violates DRC’s sovereignty and is a breach of the UN Charter.
— UK at the UN 🇬🇧🇺🇳 (@UKUN_NewYork) February 19, 2025
Rwanda must withdraw its troops.
We need an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue via African-led peace processes. pic.twitter.com/5G6JVWvgDT
Rwanda has stated its support for the African Union (AU)-backed East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) peace initiatives as the best way ahead for regional peace.
ALSO READ:
- Kenya Goes After British Oil Giant Over Hundreds Of Deaths In The North
- KDF Soldier Arrested Over Wife’s Murder in Nakuru
- Parliament Passes VAT Bill For Petroleum, Slashes It To 8%
- Oburu’s ODM Blasts UDA Over Infiltrating ‘Their’ Zone, Demands Respect
- Safaricom Issues Statement After MyOneApp’s Negative Feedback
It asked the United Kingdom and the international community to embrace these diplomatic frameworks rather than the DRC’s approach, which is mainly based on a military-only solution.
Rwanda emphasized that the FDLR is not an obsolete or diminishing force, but rather a well-armed and strategically positioned militia with the potential to destabilize the region for years.
At the same time, it criticized the DRC for unilaterally terminating the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) operation, which had effectively maintained a six-month ceasefire.
According to Rwanda, the DRC’s move was not intended to achieve peace, but rather to pursue military ambitions that jeopardize not just Rwandan security but also regional stability.
GOMA: Rwanda Finally Reveals Why Her Army is in The DR Congo
