Kigali, Dec 12 (UNI/SPUTNIK) Rwanda is not guilty of the escalation of the military conflict in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo, or DRC), Rwandan President Paul Kagame said on Thursday, during the swearing-in ceremony of new cabinet members.
“When I hear discussions or statements claiming that the current problem arose after the peace agreements were signed, and that all the responsibility is attributed to Rwanda, I do not understand it. People from different countries write that the agreement was violated. As if everything was perfect when we signed it, and then, upon our return, the fighting began. This is not true. This problem our country is facing came from our neighbours,” the Rwandan president said. His speech was broadcast by the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA).
On December 4, US President Donald Trump signed the so-called Washington Accords with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Kagame to formalise a peace deal between the two nations. Nevertheless, the M23 paramilitary group, allegedly backed by Rwanda, intensified its offensive in South Kivu province in the eastern DRC in the past few days, gradually advancing toward Uvira.
On Wednesday, the Okapi broadcaster reported that the strategically important city located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika had been seized without a fight.
The M23 was formed in 2012 by Congolese Tutsis. In late January, M23 launched a large-scale offensive, escalating the conflict in the eastern DRC. Between January and February, rebels seized Goma and Bukavu, the provincial capitals of North and South Kivu. From March to July, hostilities intensified, triggering mass displacement and worsening a food crisis in the region. Although a ceasefire agreement was signed on July 29, clashes persisted.
Rwanda not responsible for escalation in Eastern part of DR Congo: President
