Diplomatic tensions between Rwanda and Canada have intensified following Ottawa’s accusation that Kigali is fueling the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Rwanda has vehemently rejected these claims, summoning Canada’s High Commissioner to express its strong opposition to what it termed as “defamatory” and “unacceptable” allegations.
The Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized Canada’s recent statement, which placed blame on Kigali for the worsening crisis in eastern DRC. Rwanda argued that Canada was unfairly attributing atrocities to its government while ignoring the actions of the DRC military, Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo (FARDC), and allied militias, including the FDLR a group linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
“Canada is voluntarily accusing Rwanda of atrocities committed in Eastern DRC, while those crimes are committed in broad daylight by the FARDC and DRC government militias,” Rwanda stated.
Rwanda further accused Canada of disregarding its security concerns, emphasizing that Congolese Tutsi communities in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri were facing persecution. Kigali reaffirmed its stance that it would not be deterred from protecting its citizens and national security interests.
Canada, in its Tuesday statement, condemned the March 23 Movement (M23) for capturing key territories in eastern DRC, including Goma and Bukavu. Ottawa went further, accusing the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) of supporting M23, calling it a violation of the DRC’s sovereignty and the UN Charter. Additionally, Canada denounced alleged human rights violations in the conflict, including attacks on civilians and reports of sexual violence against women and girls.
As part of its response, Canada imposed sanctions on Rwanda, including halting permits for exporting controlled goods and technologies, suspending new government-to-government business engagements, and pausing proactive support for private-sector trade missions to Rwanda. Kigali, however, strongly opposed these measures, arguing that Canada was ignoring human rights violations committed by the DRC government.
“The measures announced by Canada will not solve the conflict. We will continue to work with the region on the agreed African-led mediation process while safeguarding our national security,” Rwanda asserted.
The diplomatic rift between Rwanda and Canada highlights the growing international division over the DRC crisis, with global powers remaining deeply split over the conflict’s root causes and solutions.
