On February 26, 2025, while addressing the UK Parliament, Collins was questioned about the recent deaths of 70 Christians who were killed by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) using machetes and hammers. The bodies of these victims were discovered in a church in the Lubero territory of North Kivu province.
In response, he claimed that he had discussed the matter with Nduhungirehe in Geneva, but that Rwanda had denied all allegations. This statement further strained the already tense relations between the two nations, with Rwanda condemning it as ignorance and an attempt to mislead the world about the security crisis in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Two day later, the UK Ambassador to Rwanda was summoned to provide clarifications on the matter.
During a media briefing on March 2, 2025, Nduhungirehe expressed his disbelief at Collins' statement, suggesting it may have been generated using AI.
"We immediately summoned the UK Ambassador and informed him that these claims were unacceptable. We made it clear that, first of all, the Minister for Africa, Lord Collins of Highbury, was not telling the truth because we never discussed anything related to the ADF," Nduhungirehe said.
He further indicated that the UK Ambassador was also shown evidence disproving the allegations. "Accusing Rwanda of collaborating with the ADF is completely unacceptable because we are, in fact, actively fighting against terrorist groups like those in Cabo Delgado. Additionally, because these statements came from the UK, a major global power, people tend to believe them without question," he added.
He mentioned that Collins' statements had sparked misinformation online, with some individuals claiming that Rwanda had ties to the ADF and reiterated Rwanda's request for the UK government to issue a public statement refuting Collins' remarks and to issue a formal apology.
"That is why we asked the UK Government to release a statement clarifying that their Minister's claims were false and to apologize. While the Minister did send me a letter acknowledging that Rwanda had no connection to the ADF and that we never discussed the matter, he did not apologize," Nduhungirehe stated.
"He admitted that his statements were inaccurate and that Rwanda has no ties whatsoever with the ADF, a terrorist group responsible for killing Christians in churches. Such falsehoods cannot be tolerated," he added.
Relations between Rwanda and the United Kingdom began to deteriorate after the UK announced plans to impose sanctions on Rwanda over allegations of supporting the M23 rebel group and deploying troops in Eastern DRC. Rwanda has consistently denied these accusations and provided evidence to counter them.
Rwanda accuses the UK of hastily taking sides in the Eastern DRC conflict and has expressed concerns over the collaboration between the FDLR terrorist group and the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), Burundian forces and European mercenaries.
IGIHE
