President Paul Kagame has reiterated that Rwanda will remain concerned about the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for as long as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) remains active in the region.
Speaking at a press conference in Kigali on Monday, August 24, 2026, Kagame said the FDLR has been at the centre of Rwanda’s security concerns for more than three decades and that resolving the threat remains essential to addressing Rwanda’s involvement in the wider regional crisis.
Kagame said the conflict in eastern DR Congo has persisted for more than 30 years despite repeated negotiations and international interventions, arguing that its causes are broader than Rwanda.
He challenged those who portray Rwanda as the main cause of instability in eastern Congo to examine the origins of the armed groups involved and the wider history of the conflict.
The President also rejected claims that Rwanda uses the FDLR as a justification for seeking access to mineral resources in Congo, saying the group represents a longstanding security concern for Rwanda.
“I can say it a hundred times: if the FDLR problem is not resolved, Rwanda will always remain involved. There is no other way,” Kagame said.
He also questioned the effectiveness of international sanctions and other measures that, in his view, fail to address what Rwanda considers the underlying security threat.
Kagame said Rwanda’s position should be understood in the context of its national security concerns, while reaffirming that Kigali wants a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
His remarks come as diplomatic efforts continue to address the conflict in eastern DR Congo, with a new peace roadmap agreed by representatives of the Congolese government and the Rwanda-backed M23 movement setting out steps toward negotiations and implementation of a ceasefire.
Rwanda has consistently said its security concerns are linked to the presence of the FDLR in eastern Congo, while the Congolese government and international actors have accused Rwanda of supporting M23, an allegation Kigali denies.
Kagame said Rwanda remains committed to peace and is prepared to work with other countries to help restore stability in the region.
