Rwandan President Paul Kagame made a strong statement ahead of the African Union elections, directly criticizing the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for not taking responsibility for its internal conflicts.
Speaking at the AU Peace and Security Council meeting, Kagame dismissed accusations against Rwanda and made it clear that his country would not be burdened by Congo’s issues.
His remarks, delivered on Saturday, February 15, 2025, sent a clear message about Rwanda’s stance on regional security.
Kagame did not hold back in his speech, calling out what he described as a pattern of blame-shifting and avoidance of responsibility by the DRC government.
He argued that if mere words, diplomatic statements, and accusations could solve the problem, the crisis in Congo would have ended long ago.
His criticism targeted those who he believes refuse to acknowledge the role of the FDLR, a militia group linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which continues to operate in eastern DRC.
Kagame questioned why some actors in the international community ignore this reality, suggesting that downplaying the FDLR’s presence is an insult to Rwanda’s history. He was firm in saying that Rwanda would not accept such a distortion of facts.
His words come at a time when AU leaders are preparing to make crucial leadership decisions, making his remarks even more significant. Kagame’s message was not just about defending Rwanda but also about shifting the focus back to the DRC’s own responsibilities.
By saying that “Congo is too big for Rwanda to carry on its back,” Kagame made it clear that his country would not accept being used as a scapegoat for problems that originate within Congo itself. For years, tensions between Rwanda and the DRC have been fueled by mutual accusations.
The DRC government has often accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group, which has been involved in violent clashes in eastern Congo.
Rwanda, on the other hand, has repeatedly pointed to the presence of the FDLR in DRC territory, arguing that the Congolese government has failed to deal with the group.
This ongoing tension has led to diplomatic strains and even military confrontations, with both sides blaming each other for the violence in the region.
Kagame’s latest remarks reinforce Rwanda’s long-standing position that the root cause of the conflict lies within the DRC’s borders. As AU leaders prepare to vote in the upcoming elections, Kagame’s strong words are likely to influence discussions on regional security. His speech signals that Rwanda will not bow to external pressure or take responsibility for conflicts beyond its control.
The coming days will reveal how other African leaders respond to his remarks and whether they will affect the AU’s approach to resolving tensions in the Great Lakes region.
