Kagame Rebukes West Over Sanctions on M23 Rebel Ties: "Go to Hell" Says Rwandan President
- President Paul Kagame strongly criticized the West for imposing sanctions on Rwanda due to accusations of supporting the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Kagame urged Western nations to concentrate on their own problems and cease meddling in Rwanda's internal matters.
- Rwandan authorities are encountering international criticism, as nations such as Germany, the UK, Canada, and the United States have enacted sanctions because of the situation involving the M23 rebels.
- Kagame refutes Rwanda's military participation with M23, asserting that his nation's efforts are concentrated on ensuring its own national security.
Didacus Malowa, a reporter for DIWIDA.NEWS |.co.ke, comes with more than three years of expertise in reporting on politics and contemporary issues in Kenya.
Kigali Rwandan President Paul Kagame has strongly criticized Western nations following several sanctions imposed on Kigali due to accusations of supporting the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
At an emotionally charged ceremony marking the 1994 genocide targeting the Tutsi people, Kagame criticized foreign nations for their hypocrisy and interference in Rwandan matters.
“If someone shows up thinking they have the power to impose sanctions on us, saying ‘we’re going to sanction you,’ then my response is: go to hell. Just go to hell,” Kagame stated firmly.
The outspoken leader cautioned Western nations to focus on their own challenges and allow Kigali to handle its concerns.
"You need to address your own problems; go handle them. Let me manage my own," Kagame said additionally.
Kagame’s comments were made against a backdrop of increasing international scrutiny for Rwanda. This includes reductions in aid from countries like Germany and the UK, U.S. sanctions targeting one of Rwanda’s ministers, and an upcoming EU evaluation of a significant minerals agreement. Additionally, Canada has halted export licenses and diplomatic interactions with Kigali.
The president’s comments will undoubtedly create doubt about Rwanda’s historically robust relationships with Western countries.
Under Kagame’s guidance, Rwanda has earned worldwide acclaim for its stability, contributions to peacekeeping missions, and its role as a host for numerous international conferences.
Nevertheless, critics contend that this refined appearance has consistently concealed Rwanda's leadership's dictatorial leanings and its military activities outside its own territory.
Why is Rwanda facing criticism from the global community?
The core of the diplomatic dispute revolves around allegations that Rwanda has provided military backing to the M23 rebel group, which is a Tutsi-led faction accused of causing widespread destruction in eastern DR Congo.
United Nations reports suggest that Rwanda has sent approximately 4,000 soldiers to the resource-abundant area, but this deployment has been repeatedly refuted by President Kagame’s administration.
In recent months, the M23 rebels have captured large areas, leading to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Congolese citizens.
Kinshasa alleges that Kigali is employing rebels as aproxy force to plunder valuable minerals such as cobalt and tantalum, crucial components for the international technology sector.
Nevertheless, Kagame maintains that Rwanda’s intervention stems from concerns over national security, pointing to the existence of genocidal militant organizations in eastern Congo. Some of these groups are leftovers from the entities behind the 1994 massacres in Rwanda.
