Suminwa, representing President Félix Tshisekedi at the AU summit for Heads of State and government, told reporters that African nations had previously remained neutral, but for the first time, they had confirmed that Rwanda was an aggressor towards DRC.
She also stated that the AU had endorsed resolutions made by the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State, including halting the fighting, requesting M23 to reopen Goma's international airport, and resuming the Luanda dialogue.
In response, Minister Nduhungirehe called on Suminwa to stop using terms like 'for the first time' or 'now' when discussing Rwanda's actions, noting that the claims made in those instances were false.
He reminded that on October 18, 2024, Suminwa said in Brussels, 'For the first time, Rwanda has agreed [in Luanda] to show a plan to withdraw over 4,000 troops.' Nduhungirehe labeled this statement as a lie.
He further clarified that during the AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, African nations did not state that Rwanda was an aggressor with troops in DRC. 'That's another blatant lie,' he said.
Minister Nduhungirehe explained that at the AU summit held on February 14, 2025, no country, except DRC, made such accusations against Rwanda. Even South Africa refrained from calling Rwanda an aggressor, mentioning only that 'M23 is supported by foreign troops.'
He also pointed out that in the AU summit resolutions, which Suminwa left before they were adopted, no mention was made of Rwanda or the demand for its troops to withdraw from DRC.
The DRC government has been engaged in conflict with the M23 rebel group since November 2021.
However, AU leaders have emphasized that a lasting solution to the conflict can only be achieved through inclusive political dialogue, as confirmed in the EAC and SADC meeting on February 8 2025.
IGIHE
