The Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Judith Suminwa, recently confronted the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, at the African Union Summit. This confrontation highlighted the tensions between the two countries and the real motivations behind Rwanda's actions towards the DRC.

The relations between the DRC and Rwanda are marked by decades of conflict. Rwanda has been repeatedly accused of supporting armed groups in the DRC, notably the M23, which has recently resumed its activities in the east of the country. These tensions culminated with the resurgence of the M23 at the end of 2021, leading to an escalation of violence in the region

The reasons for the confrontation by Prime Minister Judith Suminwa

Prime Minister Judith Suminwa questioned Rwanda's motivations regarding its actions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). At the 38th African Union summit in Addis Ababa, she emphasized that the security argument put forward by Rwanda, particularly the alleged threat of the FDLR, does not hold water. Prime Minister Suminwa pointed out the lack of significant FDLR attacks against Rwanda in recent years, thus questioning the legitimacy of Rwandan interventions in Congolese territory. [1]

At the heart of this controversy is the issue of natural resources. According to UN expert reports cited by Suminwa, Rwanda is allegedly involved in the illegal exploitation of mineral resources in the DRC, particularly coltan[1]. This illegal exploitation is said to be the true driving force behind Rwanda's actions, masked by security pretexts. The Prime Minister has thus called on the international community to recognize that the conflict is more driven by economic interests than by genuine security concerns. [2]

The reaction of President Kagame, the driving force behind the M23 movement

The hasty departure of President Kagame during the African Union meeting in Addis Ababa, following the pointed questions from Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, highlighted the ongoing tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This reaction raised questions about Rwanda's ability to justify its actions in the DRC, particularly regarding its alleged support for the M23 rebel group and its involvement in the illegal exploitation of Congolese natural resources. [3]

The incident has heightened international community concerns about Rwanda's role in destabilizing eastern DRC. Calls for a peaceful resolution to the conflict have increased, with growing pressure on Kigali to cease its support for the M23 and withdraw its troops from Congolese territory. Organizations like The Elders have urged for sincere dialogue and the establishment of a lasting ceasefire, emphasizing the need for stronger international action to end this prolonged conflict. [4]

The Consequences of the Confrontation by Prime Minister Judith Suminwa

The confrontation between Prime Minister Judith Suminwa and President Paul Kagame highlighted the deep tensions between the DRC and Rwanda. Suminwa's speech, directly accusing Rwanda of aggression and support for the terrorist group M23, prompted Kagame to leave the session, unable to respond to the accusations. This incident revealed Rwanda's inability to justify its actions in the DRC and reinforced suspicions about its true motivations, particularly the illegal exploitation of Congolese natural resources. [5]

This confrontation has significant implications for regional stability and the international community. It has sparked renewed attention on the conflict, with renewed calls for a peaceful resolution and concrete actions to end the aggression. The UN Security Council has expressed its deep concern over the escalation of violence, urging the parties to resume diplomatic talks within the framework of the Luanda process. However, the lack of consensus within the Council on how to pressure Kigali and Kinshasa highlights the complexity of the situation and the need for a more coordinated approach by the international community. [6]

The DRC's stance on the aggressions orchestrated by Kagame's regime

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) maintains a firm stance in the face of tensions with Rwanda, as highlighted by Prime Minister Judith Suminwa during the 38th African Union summit in Addis Ababa. She emphasized the seriousness of the situation, describing Rwanda's actions as aggression and a violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and the Constitutive Act of the African Union. Suminwa specifically denounced the illegal occupation of part of Congolese territory by Rwandan troops, under the guise of the M23 rebel group, highlighting the disastrous humanitarian consequences of this conflict. [7]

Despite these tensions, the DRC remains open to dialogue while maintaining a firm stance on its national interests. President Félix Tshisekedi has reaffirmed his country's commitment to the Luanda process, aimed at peacefully resolving the conflict. However, he has clearly set limits, excluding any direct dialogue with the M23, which he labels as a terrorist group. The DRC thus seeks to balance its desire for peace with the need to protect its sovereignty, refusing to yield to external pressures that would go against its national interests. [8]

The Commitment of International Cooperation

International Cooperation has intensified to resolve the conflict between the DRC and Rwanda, as evidenced by the recent emergency session of the UN Security Council." The representatives of the two countries presented their positions, with the DRC demanding the immediate withdrawal of foreign troops and the imposition of targeted sanctions against those responsible for the aggression." The Council expressed its deep concern over the escalation of violence and urged the parties to resume diplomatic talks within the framework of the Luanda process. [9]

Several international actors have taken a stand to promote peace in the region. The European Parliament has called for the suspension of the EU-Rwanda agreement on critical raw materials and to freeze direct budgetary aid to Rwanda until it allows humanitarian access to the crisis area. The United States has condemned the advances of the M23 and Rwanda, calling for a ceasefire, while other countries like China and Russia have emphasized the importance of respecting the sovereignty of the DRC. These actions demonstrate the growing commitment of the international community to resolve this complex conflict. [9]