Rwandan President Paul Kagame expressed frustration with ongoing inquiries regarding allegations of his government’s support for M23 rebels. Kagame’s exasperation led him to question why those posing such queries do not align themselves with the M23 cause.
In response to journalists probing his association with the group, Kagame challenged them, asking why they don’t personally endorse M23. This inquiry arises from the perception by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that M23 acts as a proxy for Rwanda, fueling tensions between the two nations, which have occasionally hinted at potential conflict. Although other countries, including the US, firmly believe in Rwanda’s support for M23, Kagame contends that the situation is more nuanced than perceived abroad.
Kagame underscored that M23 originated within the DRC and comprises Congolese individuals, despite being labeled as “Tutsis of Rwanda.” He emphasized that these individuals have faced systemic discrimination and denial of citizenship rights in the DRC, leading to their displacement and seeking refuge in Rwanda. The president highlighted the presence of Rwandan communities in the DRC who hold Congolese citizenship and emphasized the shared social structures between Rwanda and the DRC.
The genesis of the M23 issue, according to Kagame, lies in historical ethnic tensions that compelled Tutsi minorities to flee Rwanda to neighboring countries like the DRC and Uganda. He asserted that accusations of Rwandan support for M23 should prompt introspection among accusers about their stance on the injustices faced by these communities.
Kagame criticized the international community for framing the M23 issue incorrectly, focusing on Rwandan involvement rather than addressing the root causes of the conflict and the plight of the affected populations. He argued that whether Rwanda supports M23 or not is inconsequential compared to addressing the underlying grievances fueling the group’s existence.
Drawing from his own experience as a former rebel leader, Kagame highlighted Rwanda’s history of internal conflict and external interventions, particularly during the civil war in the early 1990s and the genocide in 1994. He emphasized the complexities of regional dynamics and the need for a deeper understanding of the underlying issues driving conflicts in the Great Lakes region of Africa.
