Rwanda stepped up to the plate on Monday following remarks made by the UN spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, on the situation which has prevailed lately in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a country which accuses its neighbor Rwanda of support the M23 rebel movement currently active in the east of the country.
After showing the UN’s concern at the deterioration of the security situation in the eastern part of the DRC, and the multiplication of attacks against civilians by armed groups, Dujarric indicated that the United Nations values the sovereignty of the ground floor.
“We reaffirm our firm commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and we condemn the use of armed groups acting by proxy,” he said. he declares.
Reacting to these words, Rwandan government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo said on Monday that “the sovereignty of all countries is equal, whether it is Rwanda or the DRC”. As if to defend her country, she added that “when the DRC bombs Rwandan territory without provocation, it is a serious matter which has consequences, and it must stop”.
Yolande Makolo also attacked the UN Mission in the DRC (Monusco). “Monusco cannot be part of this aggression or stand idly by as has been the case, otherwise it becomes an accomplice. (…) By taking sides in this conflict, MONUSCO has contributed significantly to the intransigence of the DRC government in the cross-border bombardments of Rwandan territory”, she continued.
The UN spokesperson also called on “all armed groups to immediately cease all forms of violence. We urge Congolese armed groups to participate unconditionally in the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program (P-DDRCS), and foreign armed groups to immediately disarm and return to their countries of origin.”
The tension does not seem to subside between the DRC and Rwanda, which continues to accuse each other. On the ground, in eastern DRC, people are moving to flee the fighting. According to the latest information, the M23 rebels have taken over the town of Bunagana, bordering Uganda, after fighting against the Congolese army.
By OMA Newsletter N° 738 of 13/06/2022
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
