Rwanda has expressed feelings of betrayal following sanctions from the UK, Canada, and Germany related to its support for the M23 in the DRC. Canada has suspended trade initiatives while Germany has halted aid, citing violations of DRC’s sovereignty. Rwanda accuses Germany of politicizing development cooperation and seeks to hold the UK accountable for a paused migration agreement. The ongoing conflict exacerbates humanitarian concerns in the region.
In the wake of British sanctions against Rwanda for its involvement with the M23 militia in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Rwandan government has expressed feelings of betrayal. This reaction follows similar punitive measures imposed by Canada and Germany aimed at addressing the conflict in the eastern DRC. Both nations have criticized Rwanda’s actions alongside the M23 group, provoking reactions from Kigali.
Canada has recently suspended new trade initiatives and export permits to Rwanda in response to the conflict, signaling its disapproval of Rwandan actions in the DRC. Germany has taken comparable steps by suspending aid and halting new financial commitments to Kigali following the M23 offensive, which violates DRC’s territorial integrity. The German Cooperation Ministry announced a reevaluation of its cooperation, emphasizing the need for Rwanda to withdraw its armed forces from the DRC.
In response to these sanctions, Rwanda accused Germany of politicizing development cooperation, arguing that it undermines efforts to resolve the conflict in the DRC. Kigali insists that Germany’s actions allow the DRC to evade accountability for its own violations, intensifying the conflict. Furthermore, Rwandan officials have condemned the imposition of sanctions by multiple European nations as “shameful.”
Rwanda has sought compensation from the UK regarding a migration deal that was scrapped when the Labour government took power. Authorities in Kigali alleged that the UK had previously signaled a willingness to overlook the final payment on this agreement, established on mutual trust. However, the imposition of sanctions has been seen as a breach of that trust.
Shifts in foreign relations are compounded by the ongoing conflict involving the M23, which has gained control over significant areas rich in minerals; the situation has led to widespread international concern over the humanitarian crisis. Experts indicate that both the DRC and Rwanda cite ethnic protection as rationale for their actions, though the continuous fighting is adversely affecting the lives and economies of those in affected regions.
The recent sanctions by the UK, Canada, and Germany against Rwanda reflect serious diplomatic tensions following Rwanda’s involvement with the M23 in the DRC. Rwanda’s claims of betrayal highlight the complexities of international relations tied to regional conflicts. Moreover, as external pressures mount, the humanitarian crisis in the eastern DRC continues to deepen, underscoring the urgent need for diplomatic resolution.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
