Kagame urges focus on facts to address Eastern DR Congo conflict

By The Inspirer.

President Paul Kagame has called for solutions to the crisis in eastern DR Congo to be based on facts, evidence, and reality, emphasizing the importance of addressing the root causes of the region’s instability.

Speaking at a diplomatic luncheon on Thursday, January 16, Kagame urged global leaders to take a more pragmatic approach to the longstanding issues in eastern DR Congo. “If you want to address the problem, there is no better way than looking at the root causes. Stick to the basics of facts, evidence, and reality,” he stated.

Kagame questioned the effectiveness of the UN peacekeeping mission in DR Congo, which has been active for nearly three decades without resolving the underlying issues, including the presence of armed groups. “Normally, it should take five to ten years to exit after addressing the problem,” he said.

He criticized the international community for failing to confront the ongoing threat posed by the FDLR, a group comprised of individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. “These people are still armed and promoting genocide ideology under the watch of those who claim to uphold values and interests,” Kagame noted, pointing out the hypocrisy in international interventions.

The President challenged the credibility of the UN Group of Experts, suggesting they are influenced by historical biases and fail to accurately address the real issues in the region. “If the first thing you do is distort facts and evidence, how do you address the root causes of the problem?” he questioned.

Kagame also criticized the international community’s double standards regarding Rwanda’s involvement in the DR Congo conflict. He highlighted the ongoing support for the FDLR by some actors, including DR Congo’s government, while questioning Rwanda’s alleged support for M23. “Why is the FDLR allowed to operate in Congo, yet the narrative is focused on blaming Rwanda?” he asked.

On regional leadership, Kagame stressed the importance of African leaders taking responsibility for their challenges. “If we don’t take ourselves seriously, no one else will. There are issues we must openly reject without fear or favor,” he urged.

Kagame expressed frustration over the lack of accountability for DR Congo’s leadership, pointing out that the region’s instability is partly fueled by poor governance. “The person causing these problems has never been elected twice, and we all know it,” he said.

Despite external pressures, Kagame assured that Rwanda would not be intimidated by threats or distortions of its history. “Rwanda has already paid the ultimate price in lives lost during the genocide. We will never go back to paying that price again,” he declared.

The President concluded by urging the diplomatic community to understand Rwanda’s position and the stakes involved. “This is life and death for me and my people. We are not the same old Rwanda you dealt with 50 years ago,” he stated firmly.

As the eastern DR Congo conflict continues to attract international attention, Kagame’s remarks highlight the need for evidence-based solutions and accountability from all stakeholders.