Rwanda has called the UK Ambassador to Kigali, Alison Thorpe, to explain comments made by UK Africa Minister Lord Collins in the House of Lords.
The Rwanda Foreign Ministry said his comments were "false, insulting, and dangerous" because they linked Rwanda to the Allied Democratic Forces, a terror group working with ISIS/Daesh in Congo and Uganda.
On February 26, Lord Collins claimed that Rwanda's Foreign Minister had "denied and refuted these accusations" when asked about an ADF attack on a church in Congo.
Rwanda says this never happened - the ADF was not even mentioned when the ministers met in Geneva.
Rwanda strongly denies any ties to the ADF, pointing out that the group operates hundreds of miles from Rwanda's borders. Rwanda actually fights terrorism alongside Mozambique against ISIS-linked fighters in Cabo Delgado.
Rwanda called Lord Collins' statements "dangerous and irresponsible" and accused him of helping Congo's propaganda, spreading conspiracy theories, and hurting African peace efforts.
These comments come during difficult times between Rwanda and the UK. Britain has put limits on people and companies linked to Rwanda because of claims Rwanda helps the M23 rebels in eastern Congo. The UK has stopped military help and pressed Rwanda to drop support for M23.
Rwanda denies these claims and says it acts only because of threats from FDLR and other armed groups near its borders.
Lord Collins sent a private message to Rwanda's Foreign Minister admitting his mistake and promised to correct it in a letter to the House of Lords. Rwanda finds this response lacking and has asked for a public correction and apology to stop false information from spreading.
The disagreement shows growing problems between Rwanda and Western nations over the fighting in eastern Congo.
The Rwanda Foreign Ministry said his comments were "false, insulting, and dangerous" because they linked Rwanda to the Allied Democratic Forces, a terror group working with ISIS/Daesh in Congo and Uganda.
On February 26, Lord Collins claimed that Rwanda's Foreign Minister had "denied and refuted these accusations" when asked about an ADF attack on a church in Congo.
Rwanda says this never happened - the ADF was not even mentioned when the ministers met in Geneva.
Rwanda strongly denies any ties to the ADF, pointing out that the group operates hundreds of miles from Rwanda's borders. Rwanda actually fights terrorism alongside Mozambique against ISIS-linked fighters in Cabo Delgado.
Rwanda called Lord Collins' statements "dangerous and irresponsible" and accused him of helping Congo's propaganda, spreading conspiracy theories, and hurting African peace efforts.
These comments come during difficult times between Rwanda and the UK. Britain has put limits on people and companies linked to Rwanda because of claims Rwanda helps the M23 rebels in eastern Congo. The UK has stopped military help and pressed Rwanda to drop support for M23.
Rwanda denies these claims and says it acts only because of threats from FDLR and other armed groups near its borders.
Lord Collins sent a private message to Rwanda's Foreign Minister admitting his mistake and promised to correct it in a letter to the House of Lords. Rwanda finds this response lacking and has asked for a public correction and apology to stop false information from spreading.
The disagreement shows growing problems between Rwanda and Western nations over the fighting in eastern Congo.
