Speaking at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, which began on February 14, 2025, Tshisekedi claimed that Rwanda had deployed troops to eastern DRC to exploit the country's mineral resources.
He criticized the international community for not taking their demands for sanctions against Rwanda seriously, stating that global 'hypocrisy' allows some nations to act with impunity.
Minister Marizamunda reminded Tshisekedi that the conflict in eastern DRC has affected the entire region, including Rwanda, emphasizing that Rwanda has no interest in an unstable neighbor.
'The situation in eastern DRC concerns all of us as a region. Rwanda has suffered significant consequences from this crisis. However, Rwanda has nothing to gain from an unstable DRC. On the contrary, our vision for development is rooted in regional security and economic cooperation,' he stated.
He explained that in 2021, when DRC's security situation was stable, Rwanda exported goods worth $683 million to the country. By 2022, DRC accounted for over 33% of Rwanda's total exports.
'Why would Rwanda, a country committed to sustainable social and economic development, seek to disrupt this cooperation? Rwanda's economic interests lie in peace, not conflict,' Marizamunda emphasized.
The Defence Minister firmly rejected DRC's strategy of apportioning blame, reiterating that Rwanda had not and would never attack the DRC.
'We do not subscribe to the blame game. Rwanda has its own priorities, and we have never attacked the DRC nor will we ever do so,' he affirmed.
However, he clarified that Rwanda has taken defensive measures along its borders to prevent any threats originating from the DRC from destabilizing its security.
IGIHE
