The United Kingdom has made a bold move to suspend certain aid to Rwanda, sparking a heated response from authorities in the East African nation. This decision comes as a response to Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebel group, which has been wreaking havoc in the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Initially denying any involvement with the M23, Rwanda has shifted its stance to a more defensive position, citing the conflict near the border between DR Congo and Rwanda as a threat to its own security. The escalating violence in the region has led to a devastating toll, with over 7,000 casualties and hundreds of thousands displaced from their homes since the conflict intensified at the beginning of the year, as reported by the DR Congo government.
Considering the critical humanitarian situation in DR Congo, the UK has taken a firm stand by halting bilateral aid to Rwanda, with the exception of support directed towards the most impoverished and vulnerable populations. This suspension of aid is accompanied by additional measures, including a review of potential sanctions and the suspension of future defense training assistance.
The UK has emphasized that these measures will remain in place until substantial progress is made in de-escalating hostilities and withdrawing Rwandan military personnel from DR Congo. According to UN experts, an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan troops are currently stationed in the eastern regions of the DR Congo.
In response to the UK government’s actions, Rwanda’s foreign ministry expressed disappointment at what it deemed as “punitive measures” resulting from the conflict in the eastern DRC. The ministry criticized the UK for taking a side in the conflict and highlighted that these measures do little to alleviate the situation in DR Congo or foster a lasting political resolution to the ongoing strife.
The strained relations between the UK and Rwanda mark a significant shift from the cooperative ties that were evident in the past, characterized by a multi-million pound deal signed in 2022 aimed at deporting asylum seekers from British soil to Rwanda. However, legal challenges and a change in the UK government led to the termination of this agreement last year.
Meanwhile, the government of DR Congo has been actively lobbying for international intervention, urging global powers to suspend aid and impose sanctions on Rwanda in light of the conflict. Recently, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s Minister of State for Regional Integration, James Kabarebe, accusing him of playing a central role in Rwanda’s support for the M23 rebel group.
Furthermore, Lawrence Kanyuka, the spokesperson for the M23, and two companies under his control in France and the UK were also sanctioned by the US. In response to these actions, Rwanda’s foreign ministry denounced the sanctions as unjustified.
The M23 rebels claim to be fighting for the rights of the Tutsi ethnic minority in DR Congo and seek to restore order in a state plagued by instability. With the capture of major cities like Goma and Bukavu in eastern DR Congo, the rebels
