Kagame says Rwanda will defend its right to live, insists on FDLR’s role in DRC conflict
Rwanda rejects accusations that its troops are directly supporting M23 rebels and insists it is acting in defence of its own security, especially in the face of the FDLR militia operating in the area.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has defended his country's right to live peacefully and maintain its sovereignty, calling out the ongoing denial of the role played by the Forces Démocratiques De Libération Du Rwanda (FDLR) in the unrest in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a statement on Saturday, Kagame expressed frustration over the dismissal of the FDLR's involvement in the conflict.
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"How can FDLR not exist in the minds of some people? Or why is it something that is supposed to be trivialised? When you trivialise that, you trivialise my history, and I am not going to accept it," he stated.
Kagame went ahead and challenged Congo's leadership to take responsibility for its own issues, questioning why the DRC continues to blame external forces for its internal problems.
"When does Congo take responsibility for its own mess? How does Congo think all their problems come from outside, and therefore they outsource solutions for their problems?" Kagame asked.
He reiterated Rwanda's position, stating that it has its own issues to address and could not bear the weight of DR Congo's challenges.
Kagame made it clear that Rwanda would not beg for its right to exist.
'I am not begging'
"Congo is too big for Rwanda to carry on its back. We have our own problems to deal with," he said. "But when it comes to the right to live, don't you be mistaken. I am not begging; I will not beg anyone."
This statement comes amid the continued unrest in the eastern DRC, where M23 rebels, allegedly supported by Rwanda, have captured key territories.
On Friday, M23 rebels entered Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern DRC, and took control of Kavumu airport.
These developments further threaten the authority of the Congolese government in the region.
However, Rwanda rejects accusations that its troops are directly supporting M23 rebels and insists it is acting in defence of its own security, especially in the face of the FDLR militia operating in the area.
Kagame's remarks add to the growing tension between Rwanda and the DRC, which has been escalating for months.
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has sought international support to end the crisis, accusing Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels.
However, Rwanda has dismissed these claims, arguing that it is combating a Hutu-led militia in the region.
The two Heads of state were set to meet for talks on the crisis in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Friday ahead of the annual African Union summit
However, Tshisekedi will not attend the summit as he aims to focus his efforts on halting further progress of the M23 rebels, his spokesperson Tina Salama said.
Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka will instead represent Congo at the event.
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