Africa-Press. Rwandan President Paul Kagame said that tensions between his country and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are not tied to exploiting natural resources or seeking to annex territory in eastern Congo. He argued that the core of the dispute stems from the presence of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which he described as a security threat and as carrying a “genocidal” ideology.
Speaking at the opening of the annual national dialogue in Kigali, Kagame said the problem “is not minerals,” arguing that if Rwanda were in Congo for wealth, it “would be hundreds of times richer.” He stressed that what Rwanda calls “defensive measures” are a response to ongoing threats emanating from eastern Congo.
Kagame’s remarks followed accusations by Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi that Rwanda is seeking to “divide” his country and annex the resource-rich eastern part. Kagame also addressed threats related to possible international sanctions, taking a hard line and blaming the international community for the conflict’s persistence over decades.
The “M23” movement remains a central element of the conflict in eastern Congo. The United Nations and Western countries accuse Rwanda of supporting it, which Kigali denies. In the same context, Tshisekedi has previously called for de-escalation and joint efforts to restore peace, while Rwanda’s foreign ministry described those calls as “political theatrics.”
