On Thursday, February 27, the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Rwanda's Ambassador in Stockholm, citing concerns over alleged Rwandan support for the M23 rebel group.
This move follows mounting international pressure in the wake of M23's recent capture of Goma and Bukavu, key cities in the North and South Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Rwanda has consistently refuted allegations of backing M23, instead pointing to the ongoing collaboration between the Congolese army (FARDC) and the FDLR, a UN-sanctioned genocidal militia.
The Embassy emphasized that Rwanda has for decades faced existential security threats from the FDLR, which continues to launch attacks on Rwandan territory, violating its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
'The Rwanda Defence Force [RDF] has consistently maintained defensive measures to address serious security threats along the border with the DRC,' reads part of the Embassy's statement. 'Rwandans have the fundamental right to live in peace, free from the perpetual threat of insecurity emanating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.'
Rwanda has expressed frustration over what it perceives as the international community's failure to acknowledge its security concerns, particularly the threat posed by the FDLR and the inflammatory rhetoric from Congolese leaders calling for regime change in Kigali.
The Embassy asserted that Rwanda will not be intimidated or pressured into compromising its security.
'Only the Rwanda Defence Force and the Commander-in-Chief can determine the necessary defensive measures to protect the lives of Rwandans, especially when threats emerge a mere two kilometers away,' the statement added. 'Rwanda will not be bullied or blackmailed into compromising its national security.'
The Embassy also criticized Sweden for what it called a double standard in addressing the conflict. Given Sweden's values of mutual respect, equal rights, and peacebuilding, Rwanda found it 'shocking and unfortunate' that Sweden has remained silent on the plight of Congolese Tutsi and the targeting of Rwandans in DRC.
'Sweden's evident alignment with Belgium, a historical actor in the root causes and present-day insecurity and conflict in the region, is disheartening and questionable,' the Embassy noted.
It further argued that Sweden, having no colonial history in Rwanda and no involvement in illicit mineral dealings, is in a unique position to adopt an 'impartial' diplomatic stance.
The international community has often framed the conflict in eastern DRC as a simplistic narrative of 'Rwanda backing M23,' ignoring the historical and political grievances that led to M23's emergence.
The Embassy pointed out that M23 is a Congolese movement with legitimate concerns, arising from the DRC government's failure to honor past peace agreements and protect the rights of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese, particularly Tutsi communities, who continue to face persecution, displacement, and targeted killings.
The Rwandan Embassy also condemned the international community's failure to address the FARDC-FDLR collaboration and its reluctance to sanction those inciting violence against Congolese Tutsi.
The Embassy highlighted that despite clear evidence of this collaboration, the United Nations and international actors have failed to take decisive action against the DRC government.
'How can a national army align itself with a foreign genocidal militia?' the statement questioned. 'The international community, including Sweden, is fully aware of the FDLR threat, including its shelling of Rwandan territory on June 10, 2022. Despite this knowledge, Sweden has refused to officially condemn the FDLR and FARDC collaboration. Why?'
Rwanda also took issue with Sweden's silence on the recruitment of European mercenaries by the DRC government, pointing out that Rwanda has, in contrast, upheld its humanitarian obligations by hosting thousands of refugees, including former FARDC soldiers and militia fighters, and facilitating safe evacuations for MONUSCO personnel and international organizations.
The Embassy urged Sweden to respect and support the African-led mediation process, reinforced by the joint East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit, along with the African Union's efforts to bring peace to the region.
'Rwanda's sole objective is a secure border and a definitive end to violent ethnic extremism in the region,' the statement concluded. 'The cycles of conflict fueled by the DRC government's failures and the international community's inaction must not be tolerated any longer.'
Rwanda maintains that it will continue to safeguard its territorial integrity and protect its citizens while urging the international community, including Sweden, to adopt an impartial and balanced approach to the conflict in eastern DRC.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwandan-embassy-in-sweden-calls-for-impartiality-on-drc-conflict
