Written by Rene Mugenzi Author, expert in social innovation and human rights
Translated from French by Rémy Rugira,Afriquela1ere.com
This article exposes Rwanda’s deceptive role in the peace negotiations with the DRC, highlighting how Kigali’s actions are prolonging conflict and suffering in the Great Lakes region. It calls on the DRC to abandon futile talks and prioritize justice and sovereignty in the face of Rwanda’s manipulations
Millions of Congolese citizens, displaced, victims of untold violence and suffering because of the ongoing conflict in North Kivu, have seen their hopes for peace dashed once again. A long-awaited peace deal between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, scheduled to be signed in Luanda, Angola, was abruptly canceled at the last minute on Sunday, December 15, 2024. Rwandan President Paul Kagame declined to attend the summit, leaving Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and mediator Uhuru Kenyatta, a former president of Kenya, waiting in the Angolan capital.
The deal was supposed to be a major step toward resolving the protracted conflict in North Kivu, largely fueled by fighting between the Congolese government and the M23 rebel group. After months of negotiations at the military, intelligence and ministerial levels, mediated by Angola, Rwanda was to commit to withdrawing more than 4,000 soldiers accused of supporting the M23 rebels on Congolese territory, while the DRC was to neutralize and disarm the FDLR, an anti-Rwandan militia operating on its borders.
However, Rwanda’s decision to boycott the summit highlighted its lack of sincerity in the peace process. Kigali stated that “no consensus has been reached between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo on a commitment to direct talks with the Congolese rebel group M23.” This justification rings hollow, given that the DRC has consistently refused to negotiate directly with the M23, a well-known position.
The Congolese Minister of Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya, who is also the government spokesperson, summed up this global sentiment with this statement:
“The whole world has seen today that the enemy of peace in the Great Lakes is called Paul Kagame. Opting for the policy of the empty chair, under false pretexts, is to recognize without hesitation its inability to work for the return of peace.”
A strategy of constant deception
Rwanda’s attitude is not new. It reflects a well-established strategy of deception and delay. A clear example of this is the very structure of the Luanda negotiations. Although the main objective was to resolve the conflict with the M23, no official representative of this rebel group was ever present at the discussions. Yet Rwanda played a central role in all these meetings, as if it implicitly represented the M23. This situation demonstrates that the international community, as well as regional actors, tacitly accept that the M23 is simply an extension of the Kigali regime.
This implicit recognition reinforces the idea that Rwanda is at the heart of the instability in North Kivu. If the M23 were truly independent, its non-representation in the negotiations would have been an insurmountable obstacle. The fact that these discussions progressed without their presence underlines that the M23 and Rwanda are seen as one and the same entity. This makes Rwanda’s hypocrisy all the more glaring when it denies any involvement with the M23, while demanding that the DRC engage in direct dialogue with this rebel group.
Rwanda’s Real Goals in the DRC
Rwanda’s refusal to sign the Luanda Agreement can also be attributed to its fear of two major consequences: legal and financial. First, acknowledging its military presence in the DRC could lead to prosecution before the International Criminal Court (ICC) or the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for crimes committed in areas controlled by the M23. Second, admitting its role in the illegal exploitation of mineral resources in North Kivu could jeopardize lucrative agreements, including those with the European Union for the development of mineral refining infrastructure. These partnerships, which are based on the perception of Rwanda as a legitimate producer of minerals, could collapse if its illegal actions were confirmed.
These fears are closely linked to Rwanda’s real goals in the DRC. North Kivu, a region rich in strategic mineral resources such as tantalum, niobium, and tin, represents a crucial economic stake for the Kagame regime. By supporting the M23, Rwanda seeks to maintain military and economic influence over the region, while destabilizing the central authority of the DRC. This strategy gives Rwanda access to invaluable resources while weakening a key neighbor in the Great Lakes region.
US Sanctions: A Crucial Precedent
The United States has imposed targeted sanctions on Rwanda, targeting officials involved in supporting the M23 and its destabilizing actions in the DRC. These measures include visa restrictions and asset freezes, with the aim of holding Kigali accountable for its destructive role in the region. However, these sanctions, while necessary, have not yet reached a level of severity sufficient to force the Rwandan regime to adopt significantly different behavior.
The case of Paul Rusesabagina, where US pressure directly led to his release, demonstrates that Kigali can respond to strong and consistent international actions. A similar strategy is essential in the context of North Kivu. The United States and its partners should not only strengthen these sanctions, but also broaden their scope by imposing economic restrictions and targeting financial arrangements related to the illegal exploitation of mineral resources in North Kivu. In parallel, the suspension of direct funding to the Kagame regime should be considered to increase international pressure and push Kigali to review its actions in the region.
Rwanda’s dangerous response under pressure
When Rwanda faces increased international pressure, its regime often responds with dangerous and calculated tactics that exacerbate human suffering while deflecting blame onto other actors. In the past, Kigali has used strategies to escalate humanitarian crises, such as escalating violence or manipulating narratives to position itself as a “protector” or indispensable actor in stabilizing the region.
In the context of the North Kivu conflict, Rwanda is likely to respond to increased international pressure by increasing its support for the M23 or orchestrating an escalation of violence, in order to shift blame onto the Congolese government. These actions are intended to divert attention from the real causes of the conflict while justifying Rwanda’s presence in the DRC.
The DRC and its regional partners must therefore remain extremely vigilant against these maneuvers. It is imperative that peace efforts anticipate and counter these manipulative tactics, by strengthening mechanisms to monitor Rwandan activities in North Kivu and consolidating regional alliances to politically isolate Kigali.
A Path to Peace and Justice
The DRC and its partners must recognize that negotiating with Rwanda is an exercise in futility. Kagame and his regime are manipulating the process to avoid accountability. To end this destructive cycle, the following steps must be taken:
End futile negotiations: The DRC must immediately cease all dialogue involving Rwanda and explore alternative solutions with regional partners.
Strengthen domestic legal action: The DRC must use its judicial system to prosecute those responsible for crimes committed on its territory, including by issuing international arrest warrants.
Pursue international legal remedies: The Congolese government must bring its cases to the ICC and ICJ, with solid evidence of Rwandan military presence in the DRC.
Strengthen Regional Alliances: The DRC must deepen its collaboration with organizations such as SADC to develop solutions that exclude Rwandan influence.
Increase International Pressure: The United States and other partners must impose tougher sanctions on the Kagame regime and cut off financial flows linked to the illegal exploitation of resources in North Kivu.
For decades, the Kagame regime has exploited regional instability to the detriment of peace and human rights. The suffering of the Congolese people must end. It is time for a new strategy that prioritizes justice, DRC sovereignty, and sustainable solutions to this protracted conflict.Recommended (0)Recommended (0)
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