Rwanda Accuses Canada of Bias in DRC Conflict, Rejects Allegations of Atrocities

The Rwandan government has accused Canada of being biased in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) case, following a statement where the North American country accuses Rwanda of alleged atrocities, and ignores the history and cause of the long conflict. Rwanda thus says it will seek explanations from Canada.

On March 3, Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen; and Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Minister Mary Ng made a joint statement condemning "in the strongest possible terms" the land grab by the March 23 Movement's (M23) in the eastern DRC, i.e., the two cities of Goma and Bukavu.

"We also condemn the presence of the Rwanda Defence Force in the DRC and its support to the M23, as gross violations of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the DRC and of the United Nations Charter," the statement stated, even as it purported to call upon all stakeholders to exercise restraint, to enter into constructive dialogue and respect peaceful solutions, through regional initiatives.

As a result, Canada said it was suspending the granting of permits for the export of controlled goods and technologies to Rwanda and also new government-to-government business opportunities with Rwanda and pro-active support to private sector business development activities like trade missions.

Canada also said it would re-evaluate Government of Canada participation in international events held in Rwanda and Rwandan requests to host future events, and Global Affairs Canada invited the Rwandan High Commissioner in Canada for consultations.

Rwanda strongly responds

Countering to the statement, Rwanda condemned Canada for pretending to be supporting peace efforts while in the same statement proceeding to make all manner of allegations against Rwanda, which undermines the said efforts, which are meant to take into account the reasons for the conflict and solve them, rather than blaming.

"Rwanda observes the release by Global Affairs Canada on developments in eastern DRC and refutes as unacceptable defamatory accusations against Rwanda of alleged atrocities. We will be requesting an explanation of this from the Canadian government,"

Canada cannot object to receiving efforts of local stakeholders to the peace process when it transfers all kinds of abuses to Rwanda, never holding the Government of the DRC accountable, giving confidence in it to drive attacks on its own citizens more rapidly," said Rwanda.

Rwanda further claimed that the constant day-to-day bombing and raids of Banyamulenge villages in South Kivu by FARDC, FDLR and Wazalendo, were not criticized by Canada, nor by any nation moving against Rwanda, for that matter.

"Canada's silence regarding these grave human rights violations is shameful and incorrect. Canada's threatened actions against Rwanda will not stop the war. Rwanda will continue with the region on the agreed African-led mediation path, while we safeguard our national security," Rwanda further stated.

Canada joined the voice of a chorus of other western countries with stakes in DRC to act against Rwanda by imposing sanctions and withdrawing development aid but showing up on TV on Friday, Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, said sanctions will never bring an end to the conflict in any way.

Minister Nduhungirehe added that in fact, any such action isolating major actors and stakeholders in the conflict, and additional denial of what is happening in DRC by the international community, can only exacerbate the conflict further.

Information and Image credit: KT Press