Rwanda has strongly defended its military operations in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), citing serious security threats along its border. The Rwandan government has reiterated that its actions are defensive measures against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia group it claims poses an existential threat.
The defense came in response to a summons from the British Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), following concerns over Rwanda’s role in the ongoing conflict. Rwanda maintains that its operations are necessary due to escalating security risks, particularly after the January 26 attack on the Rubavu border town. This attack, which followed the fall of Goma, resulted in 16 fatalities and 177 civilian casualties on Rwandan soil.
“Rwanda continues to face existential security threats from the DRC-backed FDLR, a genocidal militia involved in the shelling incident in June 2022, just weeks before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali,” read a statement from the Rwandan High Commission.
The UK, however, condemned the advances of the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) and M23 rebels in eastern DRC. In a statement dated February 18, an FCDO spokesperson asserted, “These advances constitute an unacceptable violation of DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Government of Rwanda must immediately withdraw all Rwanda Defence Force troops from Congolese territory.”
The UK further urged Rwanda to cease hostilities and engage in African-led peace processes. Despite this, Rwanda has maintained that the FDLR, allegedly supported by the Congolese government, remains the primary destabilizing force in the region.
Rwanda also criticized the challenges faced by UN peacekeeping operations such as MONUSCO, which it claims have become entangled with the Congolese military coalition, including the FDLR. According to Kigali, such entanglements blur the lines between peacekeepers and combatants, complicating efforts to restore stability.
Furthermore, Rwanda expressed its commitment to the African Union (AU)-backed East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) peace processes. It called on the UK and the international community to support these diplomatic frameworks instead of backing the DRC’s military-driven approach.
The Rwandan government also criticized DRC’s decision to terminate the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) mission, which had successfully maintained a ceasefire for six months. According to Rwanda, this move was not aimed at peace but at furthering military objectives that threaten regional stability.
As tensions continue to escalate, Rwanda insists that the FDLR remains a potent force capable of destabilizing the region for years to come. It remains to be seen whether diplomatic efforts can de-escalate the situation or if the region will witness further military confrontations.
