He was speaking at the 2nd joint virtual summit of East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State held on March 24, 2025.
The summit, co-chaired by EAC Chairperson President William Ruto of Kenya and SADC Chairperson President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, was focused on addressing the worsening security situation in the region.
The government of the DRC has frequently accused Rwanda of violating its sovereignty, claiming that Rwanda has sent troops onto its territory and is supporting the M23 armed group, which controls large areas.
Rwanda has denied these accusations, explaining that in response to security threats originating from the DRC, such as the FDLR, it has strengthened its border security measures.
These security measures have helped prevent some of the shelling in the Rubavu District since the morning of January 27, 2025, when M23 fighters clashed with the DRC armed forces and its coalition in Goma City.
Kagame emphasized that Rwanda's security concerns must be considered within a broader context.
'Rwanda remains concerned about our security, and this must be addressed within the framework of dealing with problems of other countries, including DRC as well,' he stated.
The summit, which was characterized by a collaborative and positive atmosphere, resulted in the appointment of five eminent persons to a newly established Panel of Facilitators tasked with finding a lasting political solution to the crisis.
Kagame reiterated the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, stating, 'When we talk about sovereignty and territorial integrity, it should mean every country. Every country deserves respect for its territorial integrity or its sovereignty.'
Kagame's message also underscored the significance of addressing the underlying political issues that contribute to the instability in the region.
'If you want the war to end, you end the injustice, you end political problems for not only your people, but for others, including neighbors, that are affected,' he asserted.
The meeting of the Heads of State of EAC and SADC, which followed a previous one on February 8, 2025, made decisions including calls for an end to fighting and hostilities between the conflicting parties in Eastern DRC.
This was followed by a meeting of the military chiefs of the member states leading to a report outlining how the fighting and hostilities would cease, allowing humanitarian efforts to continue without obstruction. The report was discussed and approved by the council of ministers.
Kagame also expressed cautious optimism, acknowledging the progress made in the discussions and highlighting the collective responsibility to resolve the crisis.
'I think we are making progress. We are counting on everyone to help make positive contributions towards ending all of this,' he stated.
IGIHE
