Rwanda: Sanctions Ignore Root Causes of DR Congo Crisis - Kagame
[New Times] President Paul Kagame has criticised sanctions imposed on Rwanda over the conflict in eastern DR Congo, saying the measures have added to existing problems without addressing the root causes of the crisis.
President Paul Kagame has slammed sanctions on Rwanda over instability in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, arguing they have failed to address the core issues and simply added to existing problems. Speaking at a press conference on August 24, Kagame said international pressure on Rwanda had not resolved the conflict, contending sanctions focus on punishment rather than the root causes of instability.
The United States imposed sanctions on the Rwanda Defence Force and four senior commanders in March, accusing the army of aiding the M23 rebel group and violating commitments under the 2025 Washington Accords. Rwanda rejected the sanctions, arguing they targeted one party in the peace process while failing to hold the Congolese government accountable for its commitments.
Kagame questioned the logic of sanctioning Rwanda while neglecting other actors like the FDLR and the persecution of Congolese Tutsis in eastern Congo. He also criticized the UN Group of Experts on Congo for narrowly framing the conflict's origins and dismissing evidence that contradicted their narrative. Kagame reiterated Rwanda's commitment to security while pushing for peace, emphasizing ongoing engagement in the peace process.
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