2024-03-23 01:53:20
The DRC points the finger at Rwanda’s responsibility in the M23 crisis and by denouncing an overly conciliatory European policy towards Kigali.
Published on: 03/23/2024 – 02:53
2 mn
With our correspondent in Kigali, Laure Broulard
Brussels might release new funds to support the operations of the Rwandan army once morest the jihadists of Ansar Al-Sunna in Cabo Delgado (in northern Mozambique). An envelope provided within the framework of the European Peace Facility mechanism must be discussed between representatives of the 27 in the coming weeks.
But for Kinshasa, this new aid would represent “ a red line “. Last month, the signing of a cooperation agreement between the EU and the Rwanda on critical minerals had already aroused the anger of the RDC, who accuses his neighbor of looting his basement. Providing new funding to the Rwandan army would therefore be “ support for a force accused of being involved in the conflict in North Kivu » et « another sign of Brussels’ collusion with Kigali » estimates a source close to the Congolese presidency.
For its part, Brussels recently condemned Kigali’s support for the M23 and assured through a spokesperson that this type of aid is not intended to strengthen the general capabilities of the Rwandan army, but only to stabilize northern Mozambique. The Rwanda Defense Force is securing an area where TotalEnergies is waiting to officially resume its activities on a liquefied natural gas mega-projectsuspended in 2021 due to jihadist attacks.
A first envelope of twenty million euros intended for the transport of Rwandan troops and the purchase of logistical equipment was released by Brussels in 2022. Today, France and even Portugal support the principle of a second tranche while that Belgium and Spain are more reluctant according to diplomatic sources.
For his part, the director of the Europe office of Human Rights Watch, Philippe Dam, calls on the European Union to monitor in a transparent and credible manner the use of its first funding before granting another. The NGO believes that the appointment, last summer, of General Alex Kagame – the son of President Paul Kagame – at the head of the Rwandan contingent in Cabo Delgado should have been a warning signal, since he is accused by UN experts to have led operations in eastern DRC in 2022.
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