Rwanda Ready to Lift Defensive Measures if DRC Honors Peace Accord

Paul Kagame, president of Rwanda, said his country is prepared to lift its “defensive measures” in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo if Kinshasa fulfills its commitments under a US-brokered peace deal.

Kagame made the remarks during a dinner with diplomats accredited to Kigali. The agreement, signed in December with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi in Washington, D.C., aims to end years of violence in eastern Congo. The accord includes a ceasefire and commitments from both countries to stop supporting militias and armed groups, including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

Under the deal, Rwanda agreed to withdraw troops from eastern Congo as part of what it describes as defensive deployments. Kagame said Rwanda’s security concerns stem from the continued presence of the FDLR militia, which he linked to extremist ideology associated with the 1994 genocide.

He also accused pro-government militias and Burundian troops of building up forces and launching operations in South Kivu despite ongoing negotiations, stressing that all parties must be held to the same standards under the peace agreement.

The remarks come after the US State Department announced plans to impose visa restrictions on several Rwandan officials accused of fueling instability in eastern Congo. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said continued support for the M23 rebel group undermines the Washington accords and threatens stability across the Great Lakes region.

Despite diplomatic efforts, including a ceasefire proposal by Angola, violence in eastern Congo has intensified in recent days, forcing thousands of civilians to flee their homes.

Source: Newstimehub