During the interview, the Rwandan President strongly rejected claims that Rwanda was fueling the conflict in the mineral-rich region by supporting the M23 rebel group, which recently captured the city of Goma. He reiterated that the M23 rebels are not Rwandans but Congolese nationals fighting for their rights.
The President dismissed claims that Rwanda exploits minerals from the DRC, an allegation frequently made by Congolese authorities and echoed in some international reports. He denied the claims and stated that South Africa and European countries are the primary beneficiaries of DRC's vast mineral resources.
Regarding the presence of Southern African Development Community (SADC) troops in the DRC, President Kagame dismissed suggestions that their mission was primarily focused on peacekeeping. He accused South Africa of deploying troops to secure the region's mineral wealth rather than fostering peace.
In response to the edited excerpts aired by CNN, the President's Press Secretary, Stephanie Nyombayire, pointed out that several crucial elements of the interview had been omitted to fit a "predictable editorial line."
She detailed that during the interview, President Kagame spoke about the threat posed by FDLR, a group associated with rebel forces in the region and composed of remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. He stated that the group is supported by governments in the area, despite posing a security threat to Rwanda.
He maintained that Rwanda would do everything to protect itself against such security threats.
"Their goal is not just to fight M23, but to fight Rwanda and overthrow its government, as they have publicly declared. Does anyone think Rwanda will simply sit back and allow that to happen? We will defend ourselves in any form necessary. There is no doubt about it," he stated.
On the principle of national sovereignty, the President emphasized, "I believe in the respect of sovereignty for all countries, including Rwanda. There is no sovereignty more important than another. This is the basic principle."
Reflecting on the broader international community's role, he noted, "The very same international community blaming Rwanda is the one that has allowed the FDLR to operate in Congo for 30 years. After decades and nearly $40 billion spent, what stability has been achieved? Blaming Rwanda is simply a way to cover up the mess the international community has caused in our region."
The President also criticized how others were framing the insecurity issue, saying, "The problem is simple to understand, but people complicate it to avoid taking action. Even the most uninformed person could grasp the situation after 30 years."
According to President Kagame, the conflict in the eastern DRC has been exacerbated by external forces working with President Felix Tshisekedi.
"I don't believe anyone, including President Tshisekedi, wants war. However, he has been encouraged by others to fight wars on his behalf. If those external forces weren't involved, perhaps he would see reason and prioritize peace," he added.
"I am focused on protecting my country and managing national affairs to ensure peace. Meanwhile, Tshisekedi is obsessed with humiliation and his own ego. You cannot run a country or resolve regional issues based solely on ego."
Finally, he emphasized the importance of Rwanda's self-reliance: "For Rwanda, our priority is clear: we must protect ourselves. We know from history, particularly from 1994, that no one will come to our aid. That's why we have invested heavily in our security and defence, and the results speak for themselves."
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/politics-48/article/what-cnn-didn-t-air-in-the-interview-with-president-kagame
