Africa
Local News
DR.Congo
Luanda: Between peace and the M23, Kagame chose Terrorism says Thérèse Kayikwamba
Mbeki edmond
Dec 16, 2024
On Sunday, December 15, 2024, the Minister of Communication and Media, Government Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, co-hosted a press briefing alongside the Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Francophonie, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner. The briefing focused on the absence of Rwanda's President, Paul Kagame, from the tripartite meeting scheduled in Luanda, Angola, as part of the peace process in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Kinshasa's message was unequivocal: Rwanda has once again exposed its role as the patron of the terrorist movement M23. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner stated that between peace and the M23, President Kagame has chosen the latter.
“We found ourselves this morning in a regrettable situation where the Rwandan president decided not to honor the invitation of his Angolan counterpart. In contrast, President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the DRC upheld his commitment to the peace process by traveling to Luanda, only to find his Rwandan counterpart absent. Rwanda, the DRC, and Angola were on the verge of reaching a peace agreement. Yet Rwanda chose to continue its support for the M23 over the prospect of peace. Between peace and the M23, Rwanda has clearly chosen the M23,” declared Minister Kayikwamba Wagner.
The Minister further explained that during negotiations, Rwanda made direct dialogue between the DRC and the M23 a prerequisite for signing any agreement. This demand was firmly rejected by the DRC, which has consistently refused to negotiate with what it defines as a terrorist movement.
“Rwanda once again used the pretext of a negotiated solution involving direct dialogue between the DRC government and the terrorist group M23. This is something we have never and will never accept. The M23 was part of the Nairobi process but excluded itself when it took up arms again. Rwanda’s insistence on this demand is nothing more than a last-minute tactic to derail the process. Our position remains clear: the DRC will not engage in direct discussions with a terrorist group,” she emphasized.
Kayikwamba Wagner presented evidence showing Rwanda’s repeated violations of agreements and its persistent role in destabilizing the eastern DRC to exploit the region’s vast mineral resources. She cited Rwanda’s breach of the ceasefire agreement signed in July 2024 and its failure to send experts to the verification mechanism established as part of the peace process. While DRC and Angola have had active experts since November 5, 2024, Rwanda’s non-compliance reflects its lack of commitment to peace.
Another violation highlighted was the November 25 agreement, which required Rwanda to withdraw its forces from the DRC and for the DRC to neutralize the FDLR. Rwanda’s actions indicate an unwillingness to uphold these obligations, further complicating the peace process.
Adding to this, Minister Patrick Muyaya underscored that President Kagame’s actions unmistakably signal his allegiance to the M23.
“Today, you witnessed that the Rwandan president failed to attend as planned. President Felix demonstrated his dedication to peace by traveling to Luanda in respect of the mediation efforts and to reaffirm our commitment. Kagame’s absence can only be interpreted as a public affirmation of his role as the patron of the M23’s actions,” Muyaya asserted.
Both ministers expressed Kinshasa’s disappointment over Rwanda’s lack of sincerity in the peace process, reaffirming the DRC’s determination to pursue peace while rejecting any compromise with groups it considers terrorist organizations.
