Through a series of posts on social media platform X, Minister Nduhungirehe condemned the international community's rush to condemn the M23 rebel group without addressing the underlying issues fueling the conflict, particularly the persecution of the Congolese Tutsi community.
The recent surge in criticism of M23 followed the group's capture of Masisi, a strategically important town in North Kivu Province. In reaction, the European Union issued a statement calling on them to evacuate Masisi and surrounding areas.
However, Nduhungirehe, in his posts, highlighted what he sees as the international community's double standards by failure to acknowledge the deeper causes of the conflict.
'Most of the statements from various countries and international organizations accuse Rwanda of supporting M23, using biased and simplistic language, and mentioning the violation of DRC's sovereignty and territorial integrity,' Nduhungirehe stated.
'It is disappointing that none of these statements recall the facts. Large parts of Masisi were under the control of FDLR, a foreign armed group that has been occupying Congolese territory for years.'
FDLR, a militia composed of remnants of perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, has been a persistent presence in eastern DRC, targeting Congolese Tutsi communities.
These militias have carried out numerous atrocities, contributing to the longstanding insecurity in the region. Nduhungirehe pointed out that international statements have never condemned this occupation or the violations committed by these militias, which continue to displace and terrorize the local population.
'It seems as though a Rwandan Genocidal force has more legitimacy on Congolese soil than the Congolese community itself, which the group is trying to exterminate,' he added.
Nduhungirehe's comments reflect a general sense of frustration with the international community's tendency to overlook these critical historical and security dynamics.
Furthermore, the Minister raised concerns about the presence of European mercenaries in the region, who, in his view, are supporting a military coalition that includes not only the Congolese army (FARDC) but also the FDLR, Nyatura, Wazalendo militias, and Burundian forces.
'The issue of European mercenaries deployed to eastern DRC to support government forces in violation of international law has yet to be addressed. The EU and its member states, where these mercenaries originate, continue to remain silent and inactive on their criminal activities,' he said.
In his statement, Nduhungirehe stressed that the international community's condemnation of M23 fails to address the root causes of the conflict in eastern DRC, including the systematic persecution of the Congolese Tutsi community, which has endured hate speech, discrimination, and violence for decades.
These communities, many of whom are descendants of Rwandans who migrated to the DRC over a century ago, continue to face marginalization and violence, exacerbated by colonial-era border demarcations imposed by European powers.
Nduhungirehe also pointed out that none of the international statements have called for direct political negotiations between the DRC government and M23 to address the root causes of the conflict.
He emphasized that a lasting solution to the crisis cannot be achieved through finger-pointing or by simply blaming Rwanda and M23. Instead, he argued that dialogue and a genuine approach to resolving the systemic issues in the region are essential.
These remarks come amid continued reluctance from the DRC government to engage in peace talks with M23. The government's resistance led to the sudden cancellation of a peace agreement signing ceremony that was scheduled for December 15, 2024, in Luanda.
Despite previously agreeing to negotiations, the DRC government declared at the last minute that it would not engage with M23, thus further complicating efforts to address the crisis.
Sam K Nkurunziza
