Rwandan President Paul Kagame addressed the ethnic dimensions of the DR Congo conflict at the EAC-SADC Joint Summit in Dar es Salaam on Saturday, describing it as a long-simmering crisis that threatens regional stability.
Speaking to assembled leaders, Kagame emphasized the urgent need for intervention in what he characterized as an ethnic war that has spilled across Rwanda's borders. He highlighted Rwanda's repeated attempts to engage with Congolese leadership over security concerns, expressing frustration at their perceived resistance to meaningful dialogue.
The Rwandan leader rejected claims of his country's involvement in initiating the conflict, stating firmly that DR Congo bore responsibility for the outbreak of hostilities. He dismissed attempts to place blame on Rwanda, arguing that his nation had been unfairly targeted.
Kagame criticized the pattern of ineffective diplomatic gatherings, noting that previous meetings had yielded minimal progress toward resolution. He called for the current summit to produce tangible results rather than continuing what he described as an unproductive cycle of discussions.
The summit addressed several critical security matters, including plans to neutralize the FDLR, a militant group operating from DR Congo territory. The FDLR, established by individuals linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, remains a significant threat to regional security, particularly affecting Congolese Tutsi communities in eastern DR Congo.
Regional leaders at the summit focused on advancing the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes as frameworks for resolving the eastern DR Congo conflict. These initiatives represent key diplomatic efforts to establish lasting stability in the region.
Speaking to assembled leaders, Kagame emphasized the urgent need for intervention in what he characterized as an ethnic war that has spilled across Rwanda's borders. He highlighted Rwanda's repeated attempts to engage with Congolese leadership over security concerns, expressing frustration at their perceived resistance to meaningful dialogue.
The Rwandan leader rejected claims of his country's involvement in initiating the conflict, stating firmly that DR Congo bore responsibility for the outbreak of hostilities. He dismissed attempts to place blame on Rwanda, arguing that his nation had been unfairly targeted.
Kagame criticized the pattern of ineffective diplomatic gatherings, noting that previous meetings had yielded minimal progress toward resolution. He called for the current summit to produce tangible results rather than continuing what he described as an unproductive cycle of discussions.
The summit addressed several critical security matters, including plans to neutralize the FDLR, a militant group operating from DR Congo territory. The FDLR, established by individuals linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, remains a significant threat to regional security, particularly affecting Congolese Tutsi communities in eastern DR Congo.
Regional leaders at the summit focused on advancing the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes as frameworks for resolving the eastern DR Congo conflict. These initiatives represent key diplomatic efforts to establish lasting stability in the region.
