Minister Nduhungirehe made this statement on Monday, March 10, 2025, during discussions with Kaja Kallas, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
He stressed that the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC was not initiated by Rwanda, nor would Rwanda take responsibility for Congo's governance and security failures.
'I pointed out that the ongoing conflict in the DRC was not started by Rwanda, and we will not accept to bear the burden of the DRC's governance and security failures,' Nduhungirehe stated in a message shared on X.
Since the M23 rebel group resumed fighting in late 2021, the Congolese government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the group, which claims to be fighting for the rights of Congolese Rwandophones, particularly Tutsis, who have been persecuted.
Rwanda, however, maintains that it has no involvement with M23 and insists that the crisis is an internal Congolese matter that should be resolved through dialogue to ensure the safe return of Congolese refugees who have spent years in exile across the region.
During the Brussels meeting, Minister Nduhungirehe expressed Rwanda's growing concerns over its own security, which he said the international community has consistently ignored.
'Rwanda's national security concerns have long been ignored or dismissed, despite the existential threat from the DRC-based/supported FDLR genocidal militia and hostile military forces allied with the Congolese army that were active in our border area,' he said.
The minister further criticized the bias against Rwanda in the Congo conflict, warning that such an approach undermines the African-led mediation process, to which Rwanda is fully committed.
His remarks came just hours after Kaja Kallas called for M23 to respect Congo's territorial integrity and withdraw from the areas it controls, urging both Rwanda and the DRC to engage in talks.
However, Kallas' comments were met with widespread criticism, with many pointing out that calling for M23's withdrawal failed to acknowledge that the areas it occupies are home to Congolese communities who have long faced persecution.
Since resuming its military campaign, M23 has seized large territories in eastern DRC, including Goma, the de facto capital of North Kivu, and Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.
Despite M23 expressing willingness for dialogue, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has rejected negotiations, insisting that there will be no talks with the group.
IGIHE
