Kagame Claims Ignorance of Rwandan Troops in Congo as Violence Mounts.
Rwanda's President Paul Kagame says he does not know if his troops operate in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where M23 rebels battle government forces. The fighting has left 900 dead and thousands injured.
"I don't know," Kagame told CNN when asked about Rwandan soldiers in DRC. There are many things I don't know," he added, but he stressed that Rwanda would act to protect itself from threats.
The United Nations reports that 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan troops support M23 rebels in eastern Congo. According to UN experts, these forces outnumber the rebel fighters.
M23 spokesman Victor Tesongo rejected claims of Rwandan backing. He told CNN the allegations aim to discredit their cause. Tesongo said Rwanda focuses on fighting the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia tied to the 1994 genocide.
DRC Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya dismissed Kagame's statement. "Kagame is the only voice denying this," Muyaya said. He cited recent confirmations of Rwanda's presence from the UN Security Council, Angola's president, and regional bodies.
M23 forces claimed control of Goma, a major eastern Congo city. The UN humanitarian office counted 900 bodies in Goma's streets since January 31.
Kagame maintained Rwanda faces "existential threats" from FDLR fighters in Congo's army. "Nobody, including the UN or the international community, is going to do it for us," he said.
The M23 plans to expand beyond Goma, according to Tesongo. The group aims to remove President Felix Tshisekedi and establish new leadership in Congo.
International observers fear the violence might spark broader regional conflict. President Tshisekedi promised strong action against M23, which he called Rwanda's "puppet."
Rwanda's President Paul Kagame says he does not know if his troops operate in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where M23 rebels battle government forces. The fighting has left 900 dead and thousands injured.
"I don't know," Kagame told CNN when asked about Rwandan soldiers in DRC. There are many things I don't know," he added, but he stressed that Rwanda would act to protect itself from threats.
The United Nations reports that 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan troops support M23 rebels in eastern Congo. According to UN experts, these forces outnumber the rebel fighters.
M23 spokesman Victor Tesongo rejected claims of Rwandan backing. He told CNN the allegations aim to discredit their cause. Tesongo said Rwanda focuses on fighting the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia tied to the 1994 genocide.
DRC Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya dismissed Kagame's statement. "Kagame is the only voice denying this," Muyaya said. He cited recent confirmations of Rwanda's presence from the UN Security Council, Angola's president, and regional bodies.
M23 forces claimed control of Goma, a major eastern Congo city. The UN humanitarian office counted 900 bodies in Goma's streets since January 31.
Kagame maintained Rwanda faces "existential threats" from FDLR fighters in Congo's army. "Nobody, including the UN or the international community, is going to do it for us," he said.
The M23 plans to expand beyond Goma, according to Tesongo. The group aims to remove President Felix Tshisekedi and establish new leadership in Congo.
International observers fear the violence might spark broader regional conflict. President Tshisekedi promised strong action against M23, which he called Rwanda's "puppet."
