By Our Reporter
The UK has paused direct bilateral aid to Rwanda, in the latest sign that Western partners are sanctioning Kigali for its alleged role in the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
In a statement from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, a UK government spokesman said that “until significant progress is made” on ending hostilities in the DRC, the UK will pause direct bilateral financial aid to the government, excluding support to the poorest and most vulnerable; cease high-level attendance at events hosted by the government of Rwanda; and limit trade promotion activity with Rwanda.
The statement follows UK foreign secretary David Lammy’s meetings with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa and Rwanda President Paul Kagame in Kigali on 21 and 22 February respectively.
The UK “calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, humanitarian access, respect for international humanitarian law, meaningful engagement with African-led peace processes, and the withdrawal of all Rwanda Defence Forces from Congolese territory.”
In January, Rwandan troops reportedly and M23 militia entered Goma, the largest city in the eastern DRC’s North Kivu Province. UN officials said as many as 4,000 Rwandan troops were escorting the M23 rebels. Rwanda claims it is acting in self-defence by combating armed groups based in the DRC.
Last week, M23 captured and occupied Bukavu, the second-largest city in the eastern DRC. On Monday, DRC Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka told the UN human rights council in Geneva that 7,000 had been killed since the M23 renewed their advances in January. Those advances prompted a surge in diplomatic activity in an attempt to bring the conflict to an end.
“Rwanda may have security concerns but it is unacceptable to resolve these militarily. There can only be a political solution to this conflict. We encourage DRC to engage with M23 as part of an inclusive dialogue,” the UK government statement said.
The UK also said that it would suspend future defence training assistance to Rwanda; review export licenses for the Rwanda Defence Force; and coordinate with partners on potential new sanctions designations.
“The Foreign Secretary has been clear that there would be a strong response from the international community in response to the escalating conflict,” the statement said.
“In recent weeks, the UK has coordinated closely with international partners, including those from the G7 and the International Contact Group on the Great Lakes, on that response. We have also used every appropriate opportunity at the United Nations Security Council and the Human Rights Council to call for a resolution to the conflict in Eastern DRC.”
On Friday, the United Nations Security Council called on Rwanda’s military to stop supporting the M23 rebel group in eastern DRC and immediately withdraw all troops from Congolese territory “without preconditions.”
The resolution also condemned support by Congolese troops “to specific armed groups, in particular the FDLR, and calls for the cessation of such support and for the urgent implementation of commitments to neutralise the group.”
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