Kagame, UK Foreign Affairs Secretary Discuss DR Congo Crisis

By The Inspirer.

President Paul Kagame met with UK Foreign Affairs Secretary David Lammy on Saturday, February 22, at Village Urugwiro to discuss the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and explore pathways to a lasting resolution.

According to a statement from the Office of the President, Kagame emphasized Rwanda’s commitment to a peaceful solution while underscoring the necessity of recognizing and respecting its legitimate security concerns. He also reiterated the importance of adhering to ongoing continental efforts aimed at achieving lasting stability in the region.

Rwanda has long raised alarms over collaboration between the Congolese armed forces and the FDLR, a UN-designated terrorist group formed by remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Additionally, Kigali has condemned Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi’s repeated threats to overthrow the Rwandan government.

In a video posted on his X account, Lammy revealed that he had also discussed the crisis with Tshisekedi, highlighting the UK’s engagement in addressing tensions in eastern DRC.

The conflict escalated in January when M23 rebels, who accuse the Congolese government of persecuting Congolese Tutsis, advanced on Goma and later seized Bukavu. The group is battling a coalition of Congolese government forces and armed militias, including the FDLR.

Efforts to mediate the crisis continue under the African Union, with key regional bodies—the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC)—leading recent peace initiatives. On February 8, heads of state from both blocs met in Dar es Salaam, urging direct negotiations between Kinshasa and M23, alongside an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.