Rwanda says the UK's decision to stop giving money and working with them is "sad."
"The punishment actions the UK announced today because of fighting in eastern DRC are sad. The UK has picked a side," the Rwanda leaders said Tuesday night.
Rwanda believes they must protect their country and keep Rwandan people safe.
The UK leaders said Tuesday they are punishing Rwanda because Rwanda helps M23 fighters who control two big cities in eastern Congo.
The United Nations says Rwanda sent about 4,000 soldiers to fight with M23 fighters in eastern Congo.
These fighters control Goma, the main city in eastern Congo, and also run the main cities of North Kivu and South Kivu areas.
UK leaders want Rwanda to take its soldiers out of Congo land and stop helping M23 fighters.
London said they would make rules to push Rwanda until big changes happen.
The UK will stop attending Rwanda events, pause money help except for poor people, talk with friends about new punishments for Rwanda leaders, stop training Rwanda soldiers, and check permits for army things.
Rwanda says these actions will not help Congo or make the fighting stop.
"The Congo leaders have more bad things to answer for than anyone else in Congo and nearby. They avoid trouble for reasons clear to everyone. Nobody makes Congo leaders answer for attacks on their people. This makes Congo leaders want to fight more, which makes people suffer longer," Rwanda leaders said.
Rwanda will ask for safety promises, which Congo and its world friends have not yet given. Many people seem to benefit from this never-ending problem.
Rwanda wants to work with other countries on Africa-led talks and has asked world friends to help with this effort.
The Rwanda leaders said talking is the only real way to find an answer in eastern Congo.
"The punishment actions the UK announced today because of fighting in eastern DRC are sad. The UK has picked a side," the Rwanda leaders said Tuesday night.
Rwanda believes they must protect their country and keep Rwandan people safe.
The UK leaders said Tuesday they are punishing Rwanda because Rwanda helps M23 fighters who control two big cities in eastern Congo.
The United Nations says Rwanda sent about 4,000 soldiers to fight with M23 fighters in eastern Congo.
These fighters control Goma, the main city in eastern Congo, and also run the main cities of North Kivu and South Kivu areas.
UK leaders want Rwanda to take its soldiers out of Congo land and stop helping M23 fighters.
London said they would make rules to push Rwanda until big changes happen.
The UK will stop attending Rwanda events, pause money help except for poor people, talk with friends about new punishments for Rwanda leaders, stop training Rwanda soldiers, and check permits for army things.
Rwanda says these actions will not help Congo or make the fighting stop.
"The Congo leaders have more bad things to answer for than anyone else in Congo and nearby. They avoid trouble for reasons clear to everyone. Nobody makes Congo leaders answer for attacks on their people. This makes Congo leaders want to fight more, which makes people suffer longer," Rwanda leaders said.
Rwanda will ask for safety promises, which Congo and its world friends have not yet given. Many people seem to benefit from this never-ending problem.
Rwanda wants to work with other countries on Africa-led talks and has asked world friends to help with this effort.
The Rwanda leaders said talking is the only real way to find an answer in eastern Congo.
