On Wednesday, General James Kabarebe, former Chief of Defense Staff of the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) and former Minister of Defense, now serving as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed the Rwandan Parliament regarding the sanctions imposed on Rwanda by foreign governments. These sanctions, justified by allegations that Rwanda is supporting the M23 rebel group in its conflict against the Congolese army (FARDC), were described by Kabarebe as a means for foreign powers to safeguard their economic interests in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Speaking before the joint session of both chambers of Parliament, General Kabarebe strongly rejected the accusations against Rwanda and criticized the wave of international sanctions targeting Kigali. His remarks were part of a broader discussion on the ideology of genocide in the Great Lakes region. Kabarebe accused the international community of ignoring historical colonial injustices that, according to him, continue to shape the crisis in the DRC. He also claimed that foreign nations have turned a blind eye to the FDLR, a rebel group that Kigali holds responsible for the 1994 Genocide and which continues to operate in eastern Congo.
Kabarebe categorically denied any Rwandan involvement in the war between M23 and the FARDC. He further criticized Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, claiming that he had been misled by the FDLR into engaging in this war. According to Kabarebe, this miscalculation by Kinshasa ultimately facilitated M23’s takeover of key cities like Goma and Bukavu.
He argued that the countries imposing sanctions on Rwanda under the pretext of supporting M23 were primarily interested in securing access to the DRC’s vast mineral wealth, particularly its valuable natural resources. Kabarebe, who previously served as Chief of Staff of the Congolese army under the late President Laurent-Désiré Kabila, claimed that weapons captured from the Congolese army by M23 fighters were never intended to be used against the rebels but rather against Rwanda, which is why Kigali had to implement security measures to protect itself.
In his speech, the Rwandan Minister of State accused foreign powers of orchestrating a conspiracy to destabilize the region through the war in the DRC.
Currently, several countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Belgium, the European Union, and Germany, have imposed various economic sanctions on Rwanda, citing its alleged support for M23.
The United States has also taken action, imposing sanctions on top Rwandan military officials, including General James Kabarebe. Kigali continues to firmly deny these allegations, maintaining that it has no involvement in the M23 rebellion and that the real threat to regional stability comes from the presence of the FDLR and the failure of Kinshasa to address internal governance issues.
Therwandan
