It should be clearly stated that Rwanda has unquestionably invaded the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), under the cover of one of its proxy rebel groups. Once again, the Eastern DRC has been engulfed in a war between Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) pretending to be M23 rebels, a Rwanda proxy rebel group, and the (FARDC) Congolese troops loyal to the DRC government. Our organization, the National Democratic Congress (CND-NDC), a coalition of the Rally for Unity and Democracy (RUD-Urunana) and the Rassemblement du Peuple Rwandais (RPR - Inkeragutabara) would like to denounce and condemn in strongest terms possible the current state of war instigated by RDF troops, under the cover of M23 rebels. To avert another humanitarian disaster in the region, it is time that the regional powers along with the International Community take bold actions if they are genuinely committed to solving Africa Great Lakes Region problems once for all.
Press Release PP No. 01/Jan/25
Congrès National pour la Démocratie - National Democratic Congress (CND - NDC)
Eastern DRC: Time for Bold Measures from the International Community is NOW.
It should be clearly stated that Rwanda has unquestionably invaded the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), under the cover of one of its proxy rebel groups. Once again, the Eastern DRC has been engulfed in a war between Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) pretending to be M23 rebels, a Rwanda proxy rebel group, and the (FARDC) Congolese troops loyal to the DRC government. The National Democratic Congress (NDC), a RUD/RPR Coalition, would like to denounce and condemn in strongest terms possible the current state of war instigated by RDF troops and M23 rebels members of a proxy group trained, heavily armed, reinforced, and supported by the Rwandan government as it has been confirmed in recent reports from several on-ground independent investigators and/or observers.
Our Organization is extremely concerned with the loss of tens of millions lives of innocent Congolese as well as the uncertain plight of the Rwandan refugees who have found protection in DRC since 1994. After a careful examination of the current situation in Eastern DRC, we would like to call upon the International Community not to spare any efforts in order to protect the local population as well as the Rwandan refugees in the region.
Despite repeated denials of the Rwandan government of fully supporting M23, a Congolese proxy rebellion group, our Organization has learned from reliable sources how Paul Kagame and his security services have been supporting these Congolese surrogate groups. In addition, recently the UN Group of experts have provided in the latest report more details showing how the Rwanda has been supporting this proxy group on the ground. It should be stated that one of the many objectives of this Rwanda support is to the pillage of rare mineral resources abundant in Eastern DRC.
Unfortunately, this current crisis in Eastern DRC does corroborate what our Organization has been saying for years: the policies put forward by Paul Kagame and his cronies currently constitute the root cause of the impasse in the Great Lakes Region. Although Rwandan refugees established in DRC have become the scapegoats of the instability in the region, it is the dictatorial, repressive, and undemocratic nature of the regime currently ruling Rwanda that constitutes the main obstacle to finding equitable solution to the Rwandan refugee problem in the DRC. Several independent political analysts, observers, and human rights organizations have come to the conclusion that the regime in Kigali oppresses its own citizens. Therefore, Rwanda is where solutions must be found and implemented if an everlasting peace was ever to be on the agenda.
To avert another humanitarian disaster in the region, it is time that the regional powers along with the International Community take bold actions if they are genuinely committed to solving Africa Great Lakes Region problems once for all. Thus, our Organization calls upon the International Community, in general, and the UN Security Council, in particular, to take substantive measures against the Rwandan government and its proxy rebel groups in order to guarantee peace and stability in the DRC as well as ensuring protection of the refugees in the region.
Hence, our Organization would like to reaffirm the following principles that may constitute the cornerstone of finding lasting solutions to the plight in which the Africa Great Lakes region has been enduring for decades:
- The NDC remains committed to peace and peaceful solutions as it has already demonstrated during the short-lived Kisangani Process that led to Kasiki Settlement Centre.
- Our Organization is convinced that the principles that were laid out in Kisangani Roadmap and subsequently reaffirmed in Rome on Jan. 27/2009 may form a solid foundation in contributing to the lasting solution of the Rwandan refugee problem in Eastern DRC and the region. While examining other ways and means of addressing the current situation in Eastern DRC, one of the most urgent actions would be for the UN Secretary General to appoint without delay a Special Representative for Rwandan refugees in the Great Lakes Region of Africa, as this constitutes the best way towards a timely and durable resolution of the impasse.
- As our Organization has always pointed out, the Rwandan problem is political in nature and requires political solutions. The current political and undemocratic situation prevailing in Rwanda is the root cause of the endemic instability in the region as it has been confirmed by recent events. Therefore, it is our firm conviction that as long as the Rwandan political problem is not resolved the Africa Great Lakes region will remain in constant turmoil.
- In order to foster a Justice system, the only foundation for genuine Reconciliation, it is urgent to hold, under the auspices of the International Community, an Inter-Rwandan Dialogue. In addition, we do call for the organization of a "Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation" Commission that would help heal a traumatized society.
- We remain convinced that only such a Dialogue would lead to lasting peace, stability, and the establishment of new political, judiciary, and security institutions. Such institutions would have to reflect the legitimate aspirations of all the constitutive groups that form the Rwandan society.
- Our Organization has the firm commitment to constructively and actively contribute to finding lasting and peaceful solutions to the problems that have plagued our homeland and the Africa Great Lakes region as a whole.
- Our organization would like to express its strong, unbounded, and unwavering support to the Congolese People who have endured a lot but still provide protection, security, food, and shelter to Rwanda refugees for more than three decades while others looked away. We would also like to express our gratitude to the current DRC Government that has held high moral ground by refusing to demonize the Rwandan People as a whole and Rwandan Refugees in particular while the brutal leader of Rwanda Paul Kagame and his cronies have done and still do otherwise.
Jan 30, 2025
Dr. Augustin Dukuze
Spokesperson, National Democratic Congress
CND-NDC
Congrès National pour la Démocratie - National Democratic Congress
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