Addressing the UN Security Council in New York on Thursday, March 27, 2025, Nduhungirehe condemned the failure to hold Kinshasa accountable for its role in fueling the crisis and defended Rwanda's border security measures as necessary for national protection.
Minister Nduhungirehe accused the UN and its peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, of perpetuating a misleading narrative that places disproportionate blame on Rwanda while ignoring key factors contributing to instability in eastern DRC.
He highlighted that, despite repeated evidence of the DRC integrating fighters from the FDLR genocidal militiaâ€"linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwandaâ€"into its national army, international actors continue to turn a blind eye.
'The conflict was not started by Rwanda, yet the burden has been placed squarely on our shoulders,' Nduhungirehe stated. 'The failure to hold the DRC accountable for its governance failures and alliances with violent groups only exacerbates the crisis.'
Nduhungirehe emphasised that one of the root causes of the instability is the continued presence of the FDLR militia in the eastern DRC. According to the minister, the group has engaged in ethnic massacres, child soldier recruitment, and cross-border attacks, yet international actors fail to acknowledge its impact.
'The recent capture and handover of FDLR commanders, including a senior figure, further confirms the DRC government's support for this group,' he noted, accusing Kinshasa of equipping and funding these forces.
Another major issue raised was the long-standing persecution of Congolese Tutsi and other Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in eastern DRC. Nduhungirehe described this as a consequence of deep-seated ethnic discrimination stemming from colonial history.
'As a result of systemic persecution, hundreds of thousands of Congolese Tutsi remain displaced, forced to seek refuge in Rwanda, Uganda, and beyond,' he said, calling for an end to targeted violence against these communities.
In a scathing critique, Nduhungirehe pointed to MONUSCO's long-standing failure to neutralise armed groups in eastern DRC, despite operating as the UN's most expensive peacekeeping mission for over 25 years.
'In 2013, this very Council adopted Resolution 2098, mandating Monusco's Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) to eliminate all armed groups, including the FDLR. However, instead of fulfilling this obligation, Monusco focused its military efforts almost exclusively on M23, leaving the FDLR to operate with impunity,' he asserted.
The minister also denounced MONUSCO's alleged direct involvement in military operations alongside the DRC army and European mercenaries, some of whom were forced to return home after the capture of Goma by the M23 rebels.
'Not only has Monusco failed in its mission, but it has also placed itself in a position of belligerence,' he added.
Responding to criticism of Rwanda's defensive actions along the border, Nduhungirehe reiterated that Rwanda will not compromise its national security.
'Our defensive measures will remain in place until there is a credible framework for long-term security guarantees,' he affirmed, rejecting any suggestion that Rwanda should lower its guard while its borders remain threatened.
Despite his criticisms, Nduhungirehe welcomed recent efforts to advance a political resolution, particularly the recent joint summit between the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which seeks to merge existing peace processes. He expressed Rwanda's full support for these African-led initiatives and urged the international community to do the same.
"A sustainable political solution with long-term security guarantees for Rwanda will allow us to get back to the serious and urgent work of developing our country and integrating our region together with our neighbors," he remarked.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-slams-un-bias-in-drc-conflict-defends-border-measures
