Dear Editor,
I’m writing regarding your article published December 19, titled “U.S. Rejects ‘unnecessary’ Aid Cuts to Rwanda.”http://en.igihe.com/ecrire/?exec=articles&id_article=4708
We’re concerned the article does not accurately reflect Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson’s statements from the cited Congressional Subcommittee and would like you to publish clarification of those statements.
Assistant Secretary Carson clearly laid out the steps the U.S. Government is taking to help address the situation in DRC.
The below language accurately reflects the statements made by Assistant Secretary Carson:
The current situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the most volatile and violent in Africa today.
An estimated five million people have lost their lives since 1998 with millions more displaced by the conflict.
As Assistant Secretary Carson said in his Congressional testimony yesterday, “At the highest levels of the U.S. government, we are committed to helping the DRC and its neighbors end this cycle of violence and instability…”
The U.S. government has called upon the relevant countries in the region to demonstrate their commitment to achieving sustainable regional stability.
This includes Rwanda ceasing all support to the M23 and the DRC government undertaking comprehensive security sector reform to professionalize its military.
We also urge the United Nations Secretary-General to appoint a high-level UN Special Envoy to help the relevant countries in the region reach a durable political resolution and ensure the successful implementation of that resolution over the long-term.
Today’s crisis is a deep tragedy, but it also pushes our partners and us to redouble our efforts to help the D.R.C. and the region set a more sustainable course toward peace, prosperity, and long-term security.
Benjamin Roode is the Acting Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy Kigali, Rwanda
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