Rwanda Critiques UK ‘Betrayal’ Amidst International Sanctions Over DRC Conflict

Rwanda criticizes the UK for perceived betrayal after sanctions were imposed due to its involvement with the M23 in the DRC conflict. Canada and Germany have also announced sanctions, leading to suspensions of trade initiatives and aid. Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned these actions as politicized and damaging to cooperative efforts. The situation highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis arising from conflict in the eastern DRC.

Rwanda has expressed strong discontent with the United Kingdom, accusing it of “betrayal” following the imposition of British sanctions in response to Rwanda’s involvement with the M23 armed group in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In addition to the UK, both Canada and Germany have also recently introduced sanctions against Rwanda for similar reasons.

On Monday, Canada enforced punitive measures that halted new trade initiatives and suspended export permits for controlled goods and technologies to Rwanda due to the M23 aggressive actions. Similarly, Germany declared it would cease aid to Rwanda, stating they would suspend new financial commitments and high-level meetings until the Rwandan government withdraws its armed forces from the DRC.

The German Cooperation Ministry criticized the M23 offensive, highlighting it as a violation of DRC’s territorial integrity. Rwanda had been receiving 50 million euros annually from Germany to support various development projects, including energy and health programs. Germany emphasized the necessity of addressing Rwandan security concerns while fostering dialogue with the Congolese authorities.

In response, Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Germany’s actions, characterizing the politicization of development cooperation as detrimental and unproductive. They criticized the international community for ignoring the DRC’s multiple violations and contributing to the prolongation of the conflict.

Moreover, Rwanda had previously entered into a controversial migration agreement with the UK, which has since been abandoned. Rwandan officials, including spokesperson Yolande Makolo, have accused the UK of betraying their mutual trust by imposing sanctions instead of honoring past agreements.

The UK government had suspended most financial aid to Rwanda earlier, aiming to reassess its commitments while investigating the broader implications of Rwanda’s military involvement in the DRC. Meanwhile, the M23 group’s control over wealth-rich territories has led to a humanitarian crisis, driving thousands to flee and eliciting widespread condemnation from the international community.

Rwanda’s frustration towards the UK, Canada, and Germany stems from recent sanctions imposed due to its actions in the DRC conflict, which Kigali perceives as an unjust betrayal. The suspensions of trade initiatives and aid impact longstanding relations and economic cooperation. The broader implications of these sanctions underscore the complexities surrounding the ongoing conflict in the DRC, as regional powers navigate security concerns amidst mounting humanitarian crises.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr