Rwandan President Paul Kagame rejected responsibility for the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, stating his nation faces unfair blame for the regional turmoil.
Speaking ahead of a crucial regional summit, Kagame asserted the DRC initiated the conflict, which he maintains poses direct security threats to Rwanda. "The DRC started this war and not anything from Rwanda. It was just brought and put on our shoulders, and we were told to own it. We can't own it," Kagame said.
The Rwandan leader expressed frustration at being asked to remain silent about security concerns affecting his country. He emphasized that Rwanda's previous diplomatic efforts to engage DRC leadership on these issues had met with resistance. "Nobody can tell us to shut up. We have been begging DRC and its leaders for a long time. We have shared our issues and asked DRC to address them, and they have refused."
Kagame urged the EAC-SADC leaders meeting in Tanzania to pursue concrete solutions rather than continuing a pattern of inconclusive discussions. He characterized the underlying issue as an ethnic conflict within DRC that has sparked attacks against Rwanda.
"Let us not just have another meeting like the many we have had. What is happening is an ethnic war that has been brewing for a long time, denying people's rights and then attacking Rwanda," Kagame stated, calling for recognition of fundamental rights and decisive action toward resolution.
The Saturday EAC-SADC Joint Summit aims to address the escalating crisis in DRC, prompted by M23 rebels' recent capture of Goma. The meeting brings regional leaders together to seek stability in the conflict-torn region.
Speaking ahead of a crucial regional summit, Kagame asserted the DRC initiated the conflict, which he maintains poses direct security threats to Rwanda. "The DRC started this war and not anything from Rwanda. It was just brought and put on our shoulders, and we were told to own it. We can't own it," Kagame said.
The Rwandan leader expressed frustration at being asked to remain silent about security concerns affecting his country. He emphasized that Rwanda's previous diplomatic efforts to engage DRC leadership on these issues had met with resistance. "Nobody can tell us to shut up. We have been begging DRC and its leaders for a long time. We have shared our issues and asked DRC to address them, and they have refused."
Kagame urged the EAC-SADC leaders meeting in Tanzania to pursue concrete solutions rather than continuing a pattern of inconclusive discussions. He characterized the underlying issue as an ethnic conflict within DRC that has sparked attacks against Rwanda.
"Let us not just have another meeting like the many we have had. What is happening is an ethnic war that has been brewing for a long time, denying people's rights and then attacking Rwanda," Kagame stated, calling for recognition of fundamental rights and decisive action toward resolution.
The Saturday EAC-SADC Joint Summit aims to address the escalating crisis in DRC, prompted by M23 rebels' recent capture of Goma. The meeting brings regional leaders together to seek stability in the conflict-torn region.
