RWANDAN OPPOSITION COMMENDS THE UNITED STATES FOR SANCTIONS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF RWANDA FOR ITS USE OF CHILD SOLDIERS IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Today the 3rd October, 2013, the United States Government announced sanctions against five countries for their use of child soldiers in armed conflict. The countries are Rwanda, Syria, Burma(Myanmar) and the Central African Republic.
“Our goal is to work with countries who have been listed to ensure that any involvement in child soldiers – any involvement in the recruitment of child soldiers – stop,” U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield said.
Rwanda will, based on these sanctions, be denied funds for military assistance. The 2008 law also allows U.S. officials to block licences needed for Rwanda to buy military equipment.
We commend the efforts of the United States Government to have taken the lead in bringing the Kigali regime to account for the horrendous human rights abuses committed in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
We call upon the United States Government and other members of the international community to impose comprehensive and targeted sanctions against the Kigali regime.
We call upon the United Nations Security Council for follow suit and institute sanctions against the Government of Rwanda for the use of child soldiers in its current support of the M23 rebellion in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as for other human rights abuses, war crimes and crimes against humanity including those documented by the United Nations Mapping Report of 2010.
Dr. Nkiko Nsengimana
Co-ordinator, FDU-Inkingi
Lausane, Switzerland
Etienne Masozera
President, Amahoro Peoples Congress
Ottawa, Canada
Dr. Theogene Rudasingwa
Co-ordinator, Rwanda National Congress
Washington D.C.
USA
Rwandan opposition commends US sanctions against Rwanda for child soldiers
