President Paul Kagame has dismissed claims linking Rwanda to the M23 rebel group, describing it as a Congolese movement rooted in internal political dynamics within the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In an interview with Jeune Afrique journalist François Soudan, Kagame clarified that M23—part of the AFC/M23 coalition—is not a Rwandan formation but operates within Congo and is associated with former President Joseph Kabila.
He emphasized that the group does not pose a direct threat to Rwanda, framing the crisis as a domestic political issue that requires resolution within Congo’s own governance structures.
On recent sanctions imposed by the United States targeting Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) officers, Kagame pointed to what he described as an imbalance in the implementation of the Washington agreements between Rwanda and the DRC.
He underscored that Rwanda cannot be expected to unilaterally fulfill obligations under the December 4, 2025 agreement while Kinshasa falls short on its commitments, calling for equal accountability from both sides.
Kagame also defended Rwanda’s security posture, stressing that defensive measures are essential to safeguarding national territory and borders, including maintaining strategic distance from potential threats.
The President further raised concern over continued cooperation between the Congolese government and the FDLR, describing it as a persistent security threat driven by ideology and external backing.
He reiterated that a sustainable solution lies in the full implementation of existing agreements, including those brokered in Washington, which provide for dismantling the FDLR alongside corresponding security adjustments.
Rwanda and the DRC signed a U.S.-mediated peace agreement on June 27, 2025, focusing on neutralizing the FDLR and addressing cross-border security concerns. The deal was reaffirmed on December 4, 2025, with expanded provisions on regional economic cooperation.
Kigali maintains that the failure by Kinshasa to dismantle the FDLR continues to undermine progress, stressing that Rwanda’s security measures remain necessary as long as threats persist near its borders.
