Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Dr. Vincent Biruta has said that Rwanda is not interested in a crisis in reference to the current fighting in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between government forces and M23 rebel forces.
“We are committed to peace, stability & economic development of our region and wish to continue working with the DRC bilaterally, and through the established regional initiatives.” Minister Biruta told reporters this Tuesday.
He also said M23 rebel group was DRC’s internal problem and should be resolved among Congolese themselves.
DRC summoned Rwanda’s ambassador and suspended RwandAir flights to the country over the weekend in response to what it said was Kigali’s support for M23 rebels carrying out a military offensive in its eastern parts of the country that borders Rwanda.
The Rwandan government has denied claims of any involvement in the aiding of the rebel group in DRC.
Rwanda last week accused the Congolese armed forces of shelling rockets into its territory, injuring residents and said two of its soldiers had been kidnapped while patrolling the border area.
Briefing journalists about the current impasse between Rwanda and DRC, Rwanda’s foreign minister said that the country will retaliate if it suffers further attacks from DRC forces.
“If attacks continue we will not sit idly by… Rwanda will have the right to respond to protect the security of the country, to protect the security of its citizens and we have the means to do that,” Biruta said.
