President Kagame has stated that Rwanda will not be destabilized, nor will it allow others to destabilize it, especially in light of the ongoing security challenges in the region.
The Head of State participated in a meeting focused on addressing the security issues in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which brought together leaders from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). He emphasized that Rwanda has repeatedly highlighted the security threats it faces.He said, “The Democratic Republic of Congo cannot destabilize us while it is grappling with its own security issues. No one will destabilize us.”
“We have spent a significant amount of time engaging with the DRC and its leaders, pointing out the problems, and requesting that they address them, but they have refused. We will not hold any more meetings like the ones we have had before.”
President Kagame also noted that it is inappropriate for people to continue to be excited about problems, especially when the conflict, which is rooted in ethnicity, has been going on for a long time, depriving people of their rights and threatening Rwanda.
He said, “You must give people their rights, take steps, and then solve the problems.”
The Head of State further emphasized that the war was started by the DRC and that Rwanda has no involvement in it. He said, “We were drawn into it, and we are being asked to make it our own. That is not possible.”
The Head of State also stated that the issue should be given the attention it deserves, and a lasting solution should be sought.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda, Olivier Nduhungirehe, announced that the meeting held in Dar es Salaam was historic, as it provided immediate and long-term solutions to restore peace and security in the eastern part of the DRC and the region in general.
The meeting of the Heads of State concluded that conflicts should be resolved quickly, and a solution to the problem should be sought through peaceful means, with the Democratic Republic of Congo engaging in dialogue with all parties, including the M23.