In a speech to the UN on Tuesday, President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo renewed previous accusations of direct action against Rwanda.
Tshisekedi stated in an address to the General Assembly that “despite my goodwill and the Congolese people’s outstretched hand for peace, some of our neighbors find no other way to thank us other than by backing armed organizations in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
This is the case right now with Rwanda, he continued, which “once again committed aggression in March with direct incursions by its armed troops into the Democratic Republic of Congo,” in violation of international law and the UN Charter.
Tshisekedi claimed that M23, a “terrorist organisation” that has been increasingly active in eastern border regions, has received “huge support both in war materiel and troops” from Rwanda.
He said that the M23 and the Rwandan military collaborated to bring down a UN peacekeeping helicopter in March, which resulted in the deaths of six Pakistanis, a Russian, and a Serb.
The group has previously refuted the accusation, and the UN has expressed concern over the group’s revival without directly blaming the rebels.
“Rwanda’s complicity and responsibility in the misery that my country and compatriots are experiencing in zones seized by the Rwandan army and their M23 friends is no longer disputed,” he declared.
With various armed groups present, the huge nation’s eastern region has been plagued by conflict for almost 30 years.
Late last year, the largely Tutsi M23 group, which had been routed in 2013, re-enlisted, accusing the Kinshasa administration of breaking a deal about the demobilization and reintegration of combatants.
“Rwanda’s complicity and responsibility in the misery that my country and compatriots are experiencing in zones seized by the Rwandan army and their M23 friends is no longer disputed,” he declared.
With various armed groups present, the huge nation’s eastern region has been plagued by conflict for almost 30 years.
Late last year, the largely Tutsi M23 group, which had been routed in 2013, re-enlisted, accusing the Kinshasa administration of breaking a deal about the demobilization and reintegration of combatants.
