Pressure Mounts On Rwanda Over Congo. Will Kagame Bow?

Rwanda faces mounting international pressure following its involvement in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The European Union (EU) recently summoned Rwandan officials, adding to a growing list of actions taken against the country.

It has not been an easy couple of weeks for Rwanda as governments and organizations around the world have begun to impose sanctions over its alleged involvement in the crisis in the DRC. The latest in line is the European Union summoning the Rwandan ambassador over the country’s support for the M23 rebels, whose ongoing offensive in  Eastern Congo has displaced millions, resulted in thousands of deaths, and caused widespread destruction.

The European External Action Service (EEAS) spokesperson stated that the EU “strongly condemns this offensive.” The EU also denounced the continued use of violence against the DRC’s territorial integrity, demanding that Rwanda immediately withdraw all its troops from Congolese territory and cease support for M23 and other armed groups.

In response, the Rwandan government expressed its support for peace efforts led by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), aimed at fostering direct dialogue between all parties involved in the DRC conflict. However, Rwanda’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Busingye Johnston, emphasized the need for the EU to apply equal pressure on all sides, not just Rwanda. “We are urging the EU to apply the same pressure on all parties involved to attain a ceasefire. Rwanda deplores the EU’s selective approach to this crisis and the absence of equal pressure on Kinshasa for its role in escalating the conflict. Ceasefire cannot be held on only one of the parties involved directly or indirectly,” the statement noted.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has consistently denied any involvement in the conflict, but the international community remains firm in its calls for Rwanda to withdraw its military presence from Congo. 

Several international bodies — including the European Union, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the African Union, the United States, and the United Nations — have joined calls for all warring parties to de-escalate military operations in the eastern African region.

Recent Sanctions on Rwanda

Rwanda is facing mounting international pressure following its involvement in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The European Union (EU) recently summoned Rwandan officials, adding to a growing list of actions taken against the country.

On the African front, Rwanda suffered a diplomatic setback, losing its bid for a seat on the African Union’s Peace and Security Council. The country secured only a single vote — its own — as other member states signaled their distrust of Rwanda’s role on the council, largely due to its controversial actions in the Congo conflict.

Beyond Africa, the European Parliament has called on the EU to freeze direct budgetary support for Rwanda until the nation severs its ties with the Tutsi-led M23 rebels and grants humanitarian access to areas in eastern DRC under rebel control. The parliament condemned Rwanda’s occupation of Goma and other territories, describing it as a violation of the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a further move to pressure Kigali, the European Parliament urged the suspension of a memorandum of understanding between Rwanda and the EU, which supports Rwandan supplies of strategic minerals. The suspension aims to push Rwanda to halt its interference in the DRC.

Meanwhile, the United States has imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s Minister of State for Regional Integration, James Kabarebe, along with a senior member of an armed group, citing their alleged roles in fueling the conflict in eastern Congo. Joining the international condemnation, the German government also denounced Rwanda’s backing of the M23 rebels and called for an immediate ceasefire.

The escalating diplomatic isolation reflects growing global frustration with Rwanda’s role in the Congo crisis, as pressure mounts for the nation to reconsider its actions and work towards peace in the region. The recent sanctions and political censure could deepen Rwanda’s diplomatic isolation if the situation remains unresolved.