Rwanda's UN ambassador, Ernest Rwamucyo, blasted Congo leaders during a recent speech. He accused them of massive corruption, bad management of natural wealth, and trying to blame others for their country's troubles. His harsh comments came as many countries started punishing Rwanda with sanctions. The United States, European Union, and other groups claim Rwanda helps M23 rebels steal minerals.
Western nations put economic limits on Rwanda because they believe Kigali supports these armed fighters who control mineral-rich areas. Ambassador Rwamucyo rejected these ideas completely. He said people make these claims to hide the real problems—corrupt officials, terrible leadership, and Western companies stealing Congo resources for years. He called stories about illegal mineral theft "cynical, hypocritical, and disingenuous."
The ambassador claimed Congo leaders have basically sold their country's resources to anyone who pays them enough cash. He pointed directly at Western European countries, saying they hide their long history of stealing from Congo. These countries protect big companies that keep taking wealth from the African nations. He mentioned how Belgian and Canadian corporations stay deeply involved in taking Congo resources, leaving local people poor.
Rwamucyo cited Kamituga, a gold mining town, as perfect proof. Gold was found there during the 1920s. Belgium's Minière des Grands Lacs Africains dug gold from Kamituga for 67 years before selling rights to Canadian company Banro in 1997. Despite almost 100 years of mining operations, Kamituga remains "a ghost town" without decent roads, economic growth, or basic services for its residents.
He added that similar problems exist beyond just gold mines. The ambassador brought up diamond mines at Mbuji-Mayi as another example where foreigners take wealth but leave nothing behind. Beyond money problems, Rwamucyo accused Congo of protecting the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda, a rebel group connected to killers from the 1994 Tutsi genocide. He claimed Congo actively helps these fighters find safe places to hide.
The ambassador said Congo leaders not only shelter these killers but also attack Congolese Tutsi communities through ethnic persecution. He called all the attacks against Rwanda "a red herring" meant to distract everyone from the real causes - endless corruption, terrible governance, and Congo supporting genocide fighters. He believes European powers side with Congo to protect their business interests, not because they care about democracy or human rights.
Rwamucyo thinks Belgium, Canada, and other European allies refuse to speak against ethnic cleansing because they want to protect their mining operations in places like Kamituga. He asked Congolese citizens to stop letting themselves be manipulated by false stories. The ambassador urged the Congolese people to demand answers from corrupt politicians who have ruined their country and left it ranked as the poorest nation according to UN measurements.
He believes Congo leaders should focus on fixing corruption and improving how they run the country instead of blaming Rwanda for problems. The ambassador wants Congo citizens to make their government ensure the massive natural wealth actually helps regular people instead of ending up in foreign bank accounts. His strong statements show how tense relations remain between these neighboring African countries as accusations continue from both sides.
Western nations put economic limits on Rwanda because they believe Kigali supports these armed fighters who control mineral-rich areas. Ambassador Rwamucyo rejected these ideas completely. He said people make these claims to hide the real problems—corrupt officials, terrible leadership, and Western companies stealing Congo resources for years. He called stories about illegal mineral theft "cynical, hypocritical, and disingenuous."
The ambassador claimed Congo leaders have basically sold their country's resources to anyone who pays them enough cash. He pointed directly at Western European countries, saying they hide their long history of stealing from Congo. These countries protect big companies that keep taking wealth from the African nations. He mentioned how Belgian and Canadian corporations stay deeply involved in taking Congo resources, leaving local people poor.
Rwamucyo cited Kamituga, a gold mining town, as perfect proof. Gold was found there during the 1920s. Belgium's Minière des Grands Lacs Africains dug gold from Kamituga for 67 years before selling rights to Canadian company Banro in 1997. Despite almost 100 years of mining operations, Kamituga remains "a ghost town" without decent roads, economic growth, or basic services for its residents.
He added that similar problems exist beyond just gold mines. The ambassador brought up diamond mines at Mbuji-Mayi as another example where foreigners take wealth but leave nothing behind. Beyond money problems, Rwamucyo accused Congo of protecting the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda, a rebel group connected to killers from the 1994 Tutsi genocide. He claimed Congo actively helps these fighters find safe places to hide.
The ambassador said Congo leaders not only shelter these killers but also attack Congolese Tutsi communities through ethnic persecution. He called all the attacks against Rwanda "a red herring" meant to distract everyone from the real causes - endless corruption, terrible governance, and Congo supporting genocide fighters. He believes European powers side with Congo to protect their business interests, not because they care about democracy or human rights.
Rwamucyo thinks Belgium, Canada, and other European allies refuse to speak against ethnic cleansing because they want to protect their mining operations in places like Kamituga. He asked Congolese citizens to stop letting themselves be manipulated by false stories. The ambassador urged the Congolese people to demand answers from corrupt politicians who have ruined their country and left it ranked as the poorest nation according to UN measurements.
He believes Congo leaders should focus on fixing corruption and improving how they run the country instead of blaming Rwanda for problems. The ambassador wants Congo citizens to make their government ensure the massive natural wealth actually helps regular people instead of ending up in foreign bank accounts. His strong statements show how tense relations remain between these neighboring African countries as accusations continue from both sides.
