It was after that on February 17, 2024, the US State Department again accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 armed group, and asked it to withdraw its troops, proving that they are in the DRC.
The government of Rwanda announced that the message published by this US office ignores all the evidence in the RDC that includes the interaction of the military of this country with the FDLR group, which aims to disrupt it, and that it contains contradictions with the plan of the office of the US intelligence in November 2023.
He said, “The statement issued by the United States (US) Governor on February 17, 2024 deliberately ignores all the evidence, and contradicts, in every way, the plan that was launched by the US Secret Service in November 2023, he had given a good line to settle the dispute.”
He took the opportunity to ask for clarification to determine if there had been any recurrence. “Rwanda will request an explanation from the United States Government in order to determine if this announcement means that the country is returning to the line it had, or if the authorities did not share the information as it should.”
The plan of this intelligence was to help Rwanda and DRC to clear the bad atmosphere, to solve the root cause of insecurity in this country and to reduce the troops on the borders in order to prevent the risk of war between the two sides and peace between ‘the M23 movement and the State of the RDC.
As Rwanda has shown many times, the root of the problems in the DRC is the FDLR group which is supported by the leadership of these countries, but which has the intention of disrupting the security of the country.
The Government of Rwanda emphasized that the FDLR group was included by the United States in the list of terrorist groups that work openly with the State of RDC and that this collaboration threatens its security.
“The government and military leaders in the DRC, including President Félix Tshisekedi himself, have not stopped publicly announcing their desire to attack Rwanda and change the leadership by force. Rwanda cannot ignore these words, which is why it has put its strength into its defense.”
Rwanda has asked the DRC government to immediately stop its relations with the FDLR, this group will be disarmed and removed from Rwanda. It explains that it is the only way to ensure its security, and gives confidence that the unity fought for by Rwandans will continue to be strengthened.
