The Rwandan government has strongly criticized Germany’s decision to suspend development cooperation with Kigali, calling it a mistake and a counterproductive move. In an official statement, Rwanda accused Berlin of politicizing development aid and strengthening the DRC’s belligerent stance by allowing Kinshasa to evade responsibility for the conflict in eastern Congo.
According to Kigali, this decision contradicts Germany’s own commitments to supporting an Africa-led peace process in the region. Rwanda claims that Berlin is turning a blind eye to violations committed by the DRC, thereby unnecessarily prolonging the war.
The statement also accuses Germany of inconsistency and weakness in addressing the threat posed by the FDLR, a Rwandan rebel group based in the DRC that Kigali labels a genocidal militia. Rwanda argues that Germany’s failure to act against FDLR atrocities targeting Congolese Tutsi communities in eastern DRC demonstrates a lack of courage.
Furthermore, Kigali reminds Berlin of its historical responsibility in the instability of the Great Lakes region and insists that Germany has no legitimacy to impose unilateral sanctions. Rwanda asserts that it will continue to safeguard its national security while remaining committed to the ongoing regional peace process.
This reaction comes as Rwanda faces increasing diplomatic pressure, following sanctions imposed by Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, as well as growing condemnation from the United Nations Security Council and the European Union, though neither has taken concrete action against Kigali.
Therwandan
