Since late 2021, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been under assault by the March 23 Movement (M23), reportedly supported by Rwanda and its army, according to several United Nations (UN) reports. After lamenting the long-standing silence of the international community in the face of what Kinshasa denounces as aggression from its neighbor, the Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Christophe Lutundula welcomed the new diplomatic "shift" in the West in an interview with Le Monde. On February 17, the United States called on Kigali to withdraw its soldiers from North Kivu, a sentiment echoed by France three days later. However, Kinshasa awaits more and demands sanctions against Rwanda.
We see a commitment to finding a solution to the crisis imposed by Rwanda and putting an end to this despicable aggression. It is an encouragement in the fight we are waging against the excessive ambitions of Paul Kagame and his country.
Despite all the pressure from around the world, despite all the disapprovals, President Kagame is not budging – quite the contrary. Declarations are good, but it is even more significant and effective to act. We need sanctions against Rwanda. We have been asking the Security Council for this since the outbreak of this umpteenth aggression [the M23 offensive, which Kinshasa accuses Kigali of supporting] against the DRC [in November 2021].
Impunity cannot be guaranteed for the perpetrators of crimes against humanity, war crimes, or crimes against democracy. We must also target the economic actors involved in illicit trade [in eastern DRC].
stand alone in their decision to invade another African state, deploying troops to plunder its resources and displace its people. A state that openly supports a terrorist movement to destabilize another state. All this violates flagrantly international law and all the norms governing state relations. It is imperative that we persist in our efforts to impose sanctions in response.
This agreement on what the European Union terms "strategic raw materials" is not an isolated occurrence. Discussions are also underway regarding a security and military cooperation pact. These developments represent a series of unfriendly gestures. The EU's complicity in the exploitation of our resources and Rwanda's aggression against our nation cannot be overlooked.
We have denounced these actions. They undermine the mutual trust necessary for our partnership with the European Union. Fortunately, several member states are voicing their dissent to dissociate themselves from what is happening at the European Commission level.
As a member of the Security Council, France wields considerable influence within the European Union and on the global stage. Yet, there are lingering ambiguities that demand clarification. It is imperative to transition from mere declarations to concrete actions, particularly in the form of sanctions.
The balancing act of condemning Rwanda and at the same time giving the impression that you are justifying its aggression on Congolese territory by saying that the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and certain Congolese officers are fomenting actions to destabilize Kigali. Our partners must be unequivocal in their condemnation and resolute in their actions.
The implementation of the Luanda and Nairobi processes accepted by the African Union and supported by the United Nations is at a standstill. The impasse stems from Rwanda's failure to withdraw its troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), coupled with the M23 rebel group's delay in initiating pre-cantonment measures for its members. This crucial pre-cantonment step was intended to pave the way for broader efforts encompassing disarmament, demobilization, community rehabilitation, and stabilization.
We are therefore counting on the negotiating skills of Angolan president [and AU-appointed mediator] Joao Lourenço to obtain a precise and sincere withdrawal agenda from President Kagame. We are under attack, our people are suffering. Our wealth is being stolen.
President Kagame needs to say exactly what the problems are. Why is he in the Congo? The ambiguity surrounding this issue has persisted for too long. We demand clarity and transparency regarding Rwanda's objectives in our territory. Additionally, we call upon Luanda to rally greater international diplomatic and financial assistance to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. Without a diplomatic resolution, we remain steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding the territorial integrity of our nation.
The war and recurrent Rwandan incursions have been going on for 30 years, during which our country has grappled with inadequate resources to fully restore the security system.
The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations has acknowledged that the M23's possession of weaponry is more advanced than that of MONUSCO [the blue helmets deployed in Congo]. It is widely known that the Rwandan army is very well equipped.
As for the participation of the regional force [the SADC, which is currently being deployed], this is governed by mutual and automatic security treaties. We are not the first country in the world to use this kind of instrument.
I'm not aware of any non-state armed groups working alongside the FARDC. The sole group known to us is the Wazalendo, Congolese who reject Rwandan aggression. Congolese who are suffering physically and materially from the ravages of the Rwandan army. It is their right and even their constitutional obligation to resist such aggression. In response to this threat, the Congolese state has enacted a general mobilization effort.
Translation of an original article published in French on lemonde.fr; the publisher may only be liable for the French version.