Rwanda slams UK sanctions over DR Congo violence

After the United Kingdom announced it would stop some bilateral aid and impose other diplomatic sanctions on Kigali, Rwanda has stated that international sanctions will lessen the likelihood of peace with M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday that the government’s decision to implement punitive measures against the conflict in eastern DRC is regrettable.

The measures neither advance the Democratic Republic of Congo’s efforts nor advance a long-term political solution to the conflict in eastern DRC.

The UK stated that the restrictions on Kigali would continue until there were significant gains in putting an end to hostilities and the removal of Rwandan soldiers, who were thought to be several thousand, from Congolese territory.

Rwanda claims that M23 is using its forces to self-defense against the Congolese army and rebel groups in Kigali and that it has provided them with weapons and troops.

In a conflict that has caused about half a million people to flee the mineral-rich eastern DRC, including the major cities of Goma and Bukavu, since January, causing a significant swath of the country’s capital.

The UK’s diplomatic sanctions include limiting trade promotion activities and limiting high-level attendance at government-sponsored events.

It stated in a statement that it would work with partners to discuss potential new sanctions, suspend upcoming defense training, and review Rwanda’s defense force export permits.

Without providing assistance to the poorest and most vulnerable, direct bilateral financial aid would be suspended.

“Rwanda may have security issues, but military action is inadmissible. A spokesperson for the UK government said that this conflict can only be resolved politically.

“We encourage DRC to engage with M23 as part of an inclusive dialogue. Our policy will continue to be reviewed.

In Kinshasa, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi met last week.

According to a representative for the UK government, Lammy “made it abundantly clear that the international community would be strong in response to the escalating conflict.”

A Rwandan government minister and a senior member of an armed group were both subject to sanctions last week by the US Department of the Treasury for their alleged involvement in the conflict.

It said Rwanda’s Minister of State for Regional Integration James Kabarebe was being targeted because he is “central to Rwanda’s support” for the M23 armed group.