Speaking at a European Parliament session on Thursday, Rwanda's Ambassador to Germany and Representative to the European Union, Igor César, condemned what he described as "lazy narratives" and called for a fact-based approach to addressing the crisis in eastern DRC.
César emphasized Rwanda's vested interest in a stable DRC, pointing to significant trade relations between the two nations.
In 2021, Rwanda exported goods worth $683 million to the DRC, and by 2022, the DRC had become Rwanda's top export partner, accounting for over 33% of total exports.
"Why would we jeopardize this?" he questioned, arguing that Rwanda's economic growth depends on peace, not conflict.
The ambassador criticized the ongoing scrutiny of Rwanda, stressing that the real perpetrators of mineral smuggling and instability in the region are well-documented but remain largely unaddressed.
"The real smuggling networks are known. The real perpetrators are well-documented. And yet, the scrutiny always falls on Rwanda. Why?" he asked.
He attributed this to a blame-shifting strategy designed to avoid genuine accountability and reform in the DRC's mining sector.
César also defended a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed last year between Rwanda and the European Union on critical raw materials, stating that the EU itself initiated the agreement.
"We engaged in this agreement in good faith because it aligned with our vision and pre-existing strategies," he said, emphasizing that the demand for these minerals is a shared global interest.
The ambassador highlighted documented human rights violations within the DRC, citing reports from the U.S. Department of State and the UN Joint Human Rights Office.
He noted that Congolese security forces have long been identified as the leading perpetrators of human rights abuses in the region.
"This is not new. This is not accidental. It is a pattern," he stated, criticizing the international community's silence on such issues.
He also referenced past incidents, such as the 2021 assassination of Italian Ambassador Luca Attanasio, which was attributed to the Kinshasa-backed FDLR, and the hiring of over 2,000 European mercenaries by the DRC government in violation of international conventions.
"How long will your silence continue?" he asked, challenging the European Parliament on its selective response to regional issues.
César warned that the DRC government's reliance on military solutions, including alliances with ethnic militias, the FDLR, and foreign mercenaries, undermines regional peace efforts.
"This reckless strategyâ€"pursuing every possible option except genuine negotiationsâ€"continues to fuel instability," he said while calling for a shift toward political dialogue.
The ambassador stressed that the only viable path forward is the implementation of the East African Community (EAC)-Southern African Development Community (SADC) joint summit's recommendations, which include a cessation of hostilities, humanitarian action, and a return to negotiations.
"We now have a renewed opportunity to reset the political process and move towards a genuine resolution," he said.
Reaffirming Rwanda's commitment to peace, César dismissed accusations of expansionist ambitions.
"Rwanda has no expansionist agenda. We are not looking to redraw the borders we inherited from colonialism. All we want is credible, long-term peace for the development of our region," he stated.
He concluded by calling on all stakeholders, including the European Union, to reject divisive narratives and support efforts aimed at achieving lasting stability in the Great Lakes region.
"Peace requires courage, accountability, and the rejection of the forces that fuel division and violence," the ambassador remarked.
The ambassador's remarks come amid concerns over the deteriorating security situation in eastern Congo, which recently culminated in the capture of Goma by M23 rebels. While the international community has accused Rwanda of supporting the rebels, Rwanda has denied the claims, instead stating that the M23 members are Congolese Rwandophones fighting against decades of persecution and marginalization by the government.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
