Image Source: AP News
Africa – Member of the Congolese Solidarity Campaign, Didier Kabwe, said he is not surprised by Rwanda’s denial of involvement in the recent massacre in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). His comments came after the United Nations accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels in attacks that killed at least 319 civilians in North Kivu province.
The UN reported that the assaults, carried out in July, targeted farming communities in Ruchuru territory. Rwanda has firmly rejected the accusations, dismissing them as “false and unacceptable”, and accused the UN of undermining peace efforts in the region.
“It is not a surprise to see Rwanda denying the killings. This is part of what they’ve been doing for more than 30 years. So it is not a surprise. But a good side for Congolese is the fact that the UN is coming on board and reporting the killings of Congolese in eastern DRC,” said Kabwe.
Survivor testimonies from the ground have added weight to the UN’s claims. Displaced civilians described fleeing their villages as violence escalated, with many reporting direct involvement of Rwandan forces alongside M23 rebels.
These accounts, Kabwe argued, highlight Rwanda’s role in worsening the humanitarian crisis. He noted that the evidence from civilians aligned with long-standing concerns about Kigali’s military presence inside Congo.
“We are having reports from local people from Kivu, those who had the chance to flee away from those massacres, and the report is very dramatic. They testified that rebels helped by Rwanda’s army were killing people, and that is unbelievable,” Kabwe explained.
Killings Cast Doubt on Ceasefire
The killings have cast doubt over peace negotiations taking place in Doha, Qatar. The talks aim to secure a permanent ceasefire by August 18. Yet, fighting has continued, and millions of people remain displaced.
Kabwe expressed scepticism about Rwanda’s commitment to the process, saying the violence showed a lack of genuine intent to respect the agreement. He warned that without accountability, any deal would collapse.
“This is a clear signal that they are not ready to respect the ceasefire and the agreement from Doha. We know that they will never be ready to respect Doha’s agreement,” Kabwe stated.
The activist further urged international actors to intervene, insisting that regional peace could not be secured without external pressure on Rwanda. He argued that the stakes extended beyond the DRC, with instability posing a threat to wider regional security.
“The international community has a crucial role to force Rwanda to abide by the agreement of Doha. We need to protect our region, we need to protect our countries, and for the benefit of the world,” Kabwe added.
