The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe has criticized the international community for ignoring the true causes of the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
In a statement posted on social media Tuesday night, Nduhungirehe responded to the international reaction to the M23 rebel group’s recent capture of Masisi in North Kivu. He said many of these statements quickly blamed the M23 and accused Rwanda of supporting the group, without understanding the bigger picture.
“Most of these statements accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23, focusing only on violations of DRC’s sovereignty,” Nduhungirehe wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “But they ignore key facts.”
He pointed out that much of Masisi had been controlled by the FDLR, a militia made up of individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This group has occupied Congolese land for years, but international statements have failed to condemn them, Nduhungirehe said.
“It’s like the FDLR has more right to be in Congo than the Congolese people they’re trying to destroy,” he added.
Nduhungirehe also raised concerns about European mercenaries in the region. These mercenaries are working with the DRC’s army, as well as the FDLR, local militias and Burundian forces. Despite breaking international law, these mercenaries and their home countries are not being held accountable, he argued.
“The EU, where these mercenaries come from, say nothing about their actions,” Nduhungirehe said. “This is a double standard.”
The Minister also noted that the international community rarely calls for talks between the DRC government and M23. He believes that dialogue is crucial to solving the crisis and addressing its root causes.
“The conflict can’t be solved with quick fixes or blaming others,” he said. “We need a serious approach that looks at the persecution of Congolese Tutsis and the security threats Rwanda faces.”
His comments come as the M23 continues to advance in eastern DRC. This past weekend, the rebels captured Masisi, a key town in North Kivu, and the nearby town of Katale. They are pushing forward, taking control of territory previously held by a coalition of militias, European mercenaries, Burundian forces, and SADC troops.
