The Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo, has responded to the accusations by France that Rwanda supports M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo.
In a post on social media platform X, Makolo said on Tuesday, February 20, the French government was in position to know that a solution to the conflict in eastern DR Congo would be found if the root causes were addressed.
“No one knows more about the root causes and history of the conflict in eastern DRC than France,” Makolo said.
ALSO READ: France calls on Rwanda to stop supporting M23 rebels in eastern DRC
The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels – allegations Kigali dismisses. Rwanda has stressed that the conflict in eastern DR Congo is a result of internal problems including bad governance, ethnic discrimination, and violence, in DR Congo.
Kigali also accuses the Congolese armed forces, or FARDC, of sheltering, helping and working in hand with FDLR, a Rwandan ethnic militia directly linked to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
ALSO READ: France urges DRC to cut ties with FDLR
“If the real issues at the origin of the ongoing conflict were addressed, the problem would not exist,” the government spokesperson said.
A recent escalation in hostilities in eastern DR Congo has raised concerns that the conflict may turn into a regional crisis if it is not contained early.
Since early February DRC’s Goma City is under threat as thousands flee M23 rebel advance
The Rwandan government on Sunday said Rwanda considers DRC war ‘serious’ national security threat and it was concerned by DR Congo’s military build-up in North Kivu province near the two countries’ border.
It said the Congolese government had abandoned peace processes in pursuit of a more offensive position that “clearly aims to expel M23 and Congolese Tutsi civilians into neighbouring countries.”
Rwanda said it has “the right to take any legitimate measures to defend our country, so long as this threat exists.”
