On Sunday, the 30th of October 2022, The Government of Rwanda through the Office of the Government Spokesperson stated that; ‘Rwanda notes with regret the decision by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to expel Rwandan Ambassador Vincent Karega. Rwandan security forces at our border with the Democratic Republic of Congo remain on alert, as we continue to monitor the Congolese escalation.”
The statement by the Rwandan Government went further to state that; “Of particular concern is the continued collusion between the Congolese armed forces with the FDLR, and their attempts to target the border area with heavy weaponry, as well as the bellicose anti-Rwanda rhetoric being broadcast by Democratic Republic of Congo officials. We also continue to bring to the attention of the international community the persistent hate speech, public incitement and violent harassment against Rwandans and Congolese Kinyarwanda-speaking communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, carried out by Congolese officials and the general public.”
The Government’ statement explained that; “The integration of the FDLR within the FARDC and their collaboration is directly linked to ever increasing hate speech and violence in DRC against Rwandans and Kinyarwanda speaking Congolese communities. It is regrettable the Government of the DRC continues to scapegoat Rwanda to cover up and distract from their own governance and security failures.”
The Government of Rwanda reiterated that; “Rwanda remains committed to contributing to a sustainable, peaceful regional security solution within the agreed regional frameworks, including the Luanda Roadmap and the Nairobi Process.”
Several hours later, on Monday, the 31st of October 2022, after a phone conversation with United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda tweeted: “Few hours ago, I had good discussion with the UNSG on the conflict in Eastern DRC. The ways and means to de-escalate and address the issues to a peaceful end are with us building on the Nairobi, Luanda and other international efforts. We just have to commit ourselves to applying them.”
Meanwhile, Ambassador Vincent Karega, Rwanda’s former Ambassador to South Africa and until recently Rwanda’s Ambassador to Democratic Republic of Congo posted on his official twitter handle on Monday, October 31st, 2022; stating in French; “Photo souvenir avec mes collègues d’ Ambassade avant de quitter Kinshasa. Nous sommes ensemble. Merci pour tout.” Which in English, roughly translates into; “Souvenir photo with my Embassy colleagues before leaving Kinshasa. We are together. Thank you for everything.”
Some days later, precisely on Monday, 7th of November 2022, The Government of Rwanda via The Office of The Government Spokesperson report in a statement and quoting verbatim; “A Sukhoi-25 fighter jet from the Democratic Republic of Congo violated Rwandan airspace at 11h20 this morning and briefly touched down at Rubavu Airport in Western Province. No military action was taken by Rwanda in response, and the jet returned to DRC. Rwandan authorities have protested this provocation to the DRC Government, who acknowledged the incident.”
Some hours later at 2:01pm, the spokesperson for The Government of Rwanda; Ms Yolande Makolo, posted on her official twitter handle and quoting her verbatim; “Today’s incursion by the DRC Sukhoi-25 fighter jet is one of many provocations following cross-border shelling of Rwandan territory with rockets earlier this year. These unacceptable incidents are happening when diplomatic efforts are underway in Luanda, Nairobi and in Bujumbura.”
Later in the evening in Northern Africa’s Egypt which is hosting the United Nations’ COP27 (The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly referred to as Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, or COP27, is the 27th United Nations Climate Change conference and is being held from 6 November to 18 November 2022 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt), there was an EAC (East African Community) High Level Consultative meeting on the crisis in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The consultative meeting was chaired by EAC’s Chair President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi; and the meeting had in attendance Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda; President William Ruto of Kenya; President Suluhu Samia of Tanzania and Prime Minister Sama Lukonde of Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dolapo Aina writes from Kigali, Rwanda.
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