Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe. Photo | Courtesy.
Rwanda has revealed that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) refused to sign a peace agreement during the negotiation aimed at ending Congo war.
During the summit of leaders from French-speaking countries in France, Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe stated that Congo halted the process of the deal. The agreement was aimed at addressing the ongoing M23 rebel conflict in eastern DRC, majorly on neutralizing the DRC forces and easing Rwanda defensive plans.
During negotiations in August 2024, both Rwanda and Congolese officials agreed on a plan to neutralize the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda) and eventually ease Rwanda’s defensive measures. However, the signing of this deal which was scheduled for September 14, was not accepted by Congo’s Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner.
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She stated disagreements over the sequence of actions, while Rwanda proposed first neutralizing the FDLR before lifting its defensive measures. Congo preferred neutralizing the FDLR and lifting its defensive measure simultaneously. This show the lack of trust Congo has for its counterpart as the tension between the two countries increases.
“We were ready to sign but the Congolese minister refused. She first commented on the report and then later, after consultation, she came back. She told us she was opposed to adopting the report,” he said.
While Congo and the United Nation (UN) accuse Rwanda for involvement in the war. Nduhungirehe went ahead and denied the allegations of supporting Tutsi-led M3 rebels.
The conflict involving the M23 rebel group has been troubling Congo since 2022, a war which has displaced over 1.7 million people.
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