Rwanda, under President Kagame, has engaged in a long-term strategy to destabilize the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to extract its resources while maintaining a façade of development. Despite Rwanda’s claims of combating threats from groups like the FDLR, various investigations reveal its backing of rebel factions like M23. The international community’s inadequate response has allowed Rwanda to act with impunity, exacerbating the humanitarian crises in the DRC.
Since 1996, conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has resulted in millions of casualties. This violence is frequently attributed to regional instability or labeled as “ethnic conflict.” However, such labels fail to acknowledge the strategic efforts of Rwanda, under the leadership of Paul Kagame, to keep the DRC weak. Kagame has successfully portrayed Rwanda as a symbol of stability while concurrently undermining Congo’s sovereignty.
Rwanda’s influence over Congolese leadership has persisted since 1997, when Rwanda aided Laurent Kabila in ascending to power. After Kabila’s assassination in 2001, his son Joseph re-established ties with Rwanda, continuing the pattern of Rwandan control. This influence peaked in 2018, when opposition leader Martin Fayulu’s victory was overthrown in favor of Felix Tshisekedi, an arrangement facilitated by Rwanda.
Rwanda’s strategy involves backing rebel factions like the March 23 Movement (M23), which captured Goma in early 2023. While Rwanda denies connections to M23, numerous investigations indicate otherwise, suggesting Rwandan military support for the group. When international scrutiny increases, such rebel factions often integrate into the Congolese military, only to later resurface under new identifiers.
Kagame’s aggressive policy against the DRC is often justified by allegations of sanctuary provided to the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu militia implicated in the 1994 genocide. However, this justification does not adequately explain Rwanda’s ongoing assault on Congolese sovereignty, revealing that the FDLR serves mainly as propaganda fodder.
Rwanda’s motives extend beyond security concerns; the DRC is rich in vital minerals like coltan and gold essential for global technology. Reports suggest that a significant portion of Congo’s gold is illicitly exported through Rwanda. The smuggling of Congolese gold reportedly increased from 1% of Rwanda’s exports in 2014 to around 47% in 2020.
International support for Rwanda has intensified, with a substantial increase in aid since 2000. This assistance has bolstered Kagame’s regime, enabling him to act without restraint domestically and regionally. Rwanda’s maneuvers in eastern Congo ensure a compliant Congolese government incapable of resisting its influence, preventing any substantial institutional development.
The global response to Rwanda’s actions has largely been lackluster. Rwanda has utilized Western guilt regarding the 1994 genocide to deflect criticism and maintain its status as a valuable peacekeeping partner. Meanwhile, Rwandan-associated rebels continue to disrupt peacekeeping efforts in eastern Congo, exacerbating local violence.
Congo stands in urgent need of effective governance and military reforms. However, genuine international partnerships that prioritize long-term stability are also essential. The Congolese populace must be afforded the opportunity to build their own institutions without the perpetual interference of external powers.
To achieve lasting peace in both the DRC and Central Africa, the international community must address Rwanda’s ongoing subversion and the ensuing humanitarian crisis it causes. Kagame’s duplicity needs to be recognized; both Congolese and Rwandan citizens aspire to peace, which should not be hindered by the ambitions of their leaders. The global community has a vested interest in ensuring the stability of the resource-rich DRC for future technological and energy needs. It is crucial to stop viewing the violence in eastern Congo as a result of inevitable instability and confront its root causes directly.
Rwanda’s continued aggression towards the Democratic Republic of the Congo stems from a calculated strategy to exploit the region’s resources while undermining its governance. The international community’s failure to hold Rwanda accountable has perpetuated the cycle of violence and instability, hindering the prospects for lasting peace in Central Africa. Addressing these issues is essential for the development of Congolese institutions and the restoration of regional stability.
Original Source: foreignpolicy.com
