Topics of discussions held earlier on Thursday 11th August 2022 between the two leaders include the security issues in eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Blinken arrived in Rwanda from DRC where he met with President Félix Tshisekedi.
The country accused Rwanda of backing M23 rebel group in its fight with Congolese Army (FARDC).
The rebel group resumed fighting following DRC’s failure to implement signed peace accords.
Speaking at a joint press conference held today, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta said: “We have also discussed insecurity in eastern DRC, the very real consequences for Rwanda and reaffirmed our support to regional efforts including the Nairobi and Luanda initiatives towards peace and stability in our region.”
“We agreed on the need to eradicate all irregular armed groups operating in eastern DRC including the FDLR and its fractions. We noted the resurgence of hate speech, public incitement and the genocide ideology in DRC, and the need to address this issue. We also reaffirmed the importance of respect of territorial integrity by all the countries in the region,” he added.
Rwanda has repeatedly refuted DRC’s allegations that it supports M23 rebel group but accused the neighbouring country of working with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist group comprised of remnant masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Rwanda also accused DRC of violating territorial integrity based on rockets shelled on its territory in the recent months by FARDC.
Speaking to the media on topics of discussions with President Kagame, Blinken revealed that he expressed concerns of US over reports accusing Rwanda of supporting M23.
“I raised our concerns including credible reports indicating that Rwanda continues to support M23 rebel group and has its own forces inside the DRC. We recognize that Rwanda has security concerns including the cooperation between the Congolese Military and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda,” he said.
“My message to both President Tshisekedi and President Kagame this week has been the same. Any support or collaboration with armed groups in eastern DRC, endangers local communities and regional stability. Every country in the region must respect territorial integrity of the others. The United States has the same message for all neighbouring countries,” added Blinken.
The US State Secretary revealed that he urged both President Kagame and Tshisekedi to continue the process of dialogues launched by regional countries and the African Union.
Blinken also stated that US supports the Nairobi process requiring DRC to engage in dialogue with armed groups.
“Both presidents agreed to engage directly with each other, they are both ready to resume the talks in context of the Nairobi process with armed groups and both welcomed the continued US engagement in support of African led mediation efforts,” he noted.
Blinken also reminisced on the issue of propagated hate speeches against Rwandophones in DRC whose rights are abused.
He reaffirmed his countries commitment to condemn such acts and revealed that he urged President Tshisekedi to do the same.
Antony Blinken reassured his country’s continued support to Rwanda and commended Rwanda’s progress for the past 25 years.
“The journey that Rwanda has taken over the past two decades is remarkable. You have risen from genocide to global destination for innovation, investment and tourism,” he said.
Rwanda, US diplomatic relations date back in 1962.
In 2021, US provided US$147 million funding to Rwanda to promote democracy, governance, health, education, economy and conservation efforts.
For the past three years, US provided US$116 million to support Rwanda’s health sector on annual basis. It also provided US$23 million for Rwanda to mitigate effects of COVID-19.
From 2021, the country has through COVAX donated 5,500,030 vaccine doses to Rwanda.
In 2021, US imports from Rwanda were estimated at US$31 million while Rwanda’s imports from US amounted to US$49.9 million.
Paul Rusesabagina the former President of MRCD – FLN militia group was handed 25-year jail term last year over terrorism charges. In April 2022, the Court of Appeal retained the sentence handed to Rusesabagina by the High Court.
The court also ordered compensation to victims of MRCD-FLN attacks.
Ahead of his visit to Kigali, Anthony Blinken confirmed that the release of Paul Rusesabagina would be among issues of discussions with President Paul Kagame.
He stressed that such negotiations are needed in countries where US citizens are detained illegally.
Similar message demanding the release of Rusesabagina was echoed at different times by US politicians and human rights organizations.
Meanwhile, Rusesabagina was convicted based on evidences provided by relevant authorities in Belgium and US among others, particularly regarding his funding to FLN.
Ahead of the visit of Blinken to Rwanda, victims of MRCD-FLN attacks penned a letter with an attachment of their names and signatures.
The attacks were carried out by the terrorist group between 2018 and 2019 led by Rusesabagina.
The letter shows that discussions about the issue have been pushing for the release of Rusesabagina and disregarded affected victims.
“Our suffering at the hands of Paul Rusesabagina’s MRCD-FLN continues to be dismissed or outright ignored by the very entities that purport to champion the human rights of the vulnerable,” reads part of the letter.
“As victims of the MRCD-FLN attacks, we have endeavored to come together to amplify our voices and raise awareness to the actions of Paul Rusesabagina and his co-perpetrators,” adds the letter.
The victims revealed that highlighting the devastating impact these attacks have had and continue to have on their families, will underline the importance of their demand for justice, dignity and compensation.
According to the letter, the governance of MRCD-FLN operated on a rotational basis among the various leaders of affiliated political parties. Paul Rusesabagina assumed its presidency from July 2017 to June 2019 when the violent attacks were carried out to affected families in the outskirts of Nyungwe National Park.
In these attacks, reads the letter, the MRCD-FLN combatants carefully avoided any interaction with the police or the army and only attacked places where they knew people were unarmed and defenseless.
It is said that the attackers went into shops looting and would also break into the homes of people, assaulting them and robbing them of food, money and clothes.
In the letter, the victims also claimed that assailants indiscriminately shot passersby, threw grenades at cars where some people who could not escape the buses were burnt to death or succumbed to gunshot wounds.
On the other hand, the attackers are accused to have kidnapped people and made them carry looted goods into the forest.
“The MRCD-FLN murdered 11 people, including e children, the youngest being ten years old. Among those killed, were four parents who were the sole providers of their families,” adds the letter.
Among those killed is Anatole Maniraho who was ordered to lie down and shot dead instantly. The victims explained that Maniriho left a pregnant wife where his child, currently a toddler, will grow without father.
Others include Isaac Niwenshuti,17, who was on his way to visit his father but was killed and burnt beyond recognition in the bus attack. His family was only able to identify him through DNA testing.
“The current discourse from the international community and the calls for his immediate release are very distressing to our families and communities. Paul Rusesabagina is just as guilty as Sankara and co-perpetrators. He has expressed no remorse for his actions and the violence his terrorist organization inflicted on us during the trial, worse he simply decided not to participate in it,” reads the letter in part.
“As the victims of the crimes of Paul Rusesabagina and Sankara’s MRCD-FLN, we need justice to be served to its full extent. Through the court, we have received retributive justice, and we now seek restorative justice,” adds the letter.
The victims insisted that they want to see their suffering told and considered in all engagements related to Paul Rusesabagina and his terrorist organization.
“We are the ones living with the consequences of his actions and have yet to recover emotionally, physically and financially from the violence inflicted upon us by the MRCD-FLN,” reads an extract from the letter.
The victims also commended the support that the US Government continues to extend to victims of terror attacks both domestically in the US and globally and demanded that the efforts be extended to them.
“As such, as a gesture to recognize our rights as victims of terror attacks, we request to have those efforts extended to support our needs as well. The court-ordered compensation to the victims has yet to materialize, leaving some of us in dire financial situation.
We are aware that some of the perpetrators of terrorism in the communities have assets in the United States. In line with its stated commitment, we hope for US Government to support our quest for remedial justice. This, we believe, will send a strong message that the US supports victims of terrorism and is committed to holding perpetrators of terrorism fully accountable for their actions,” concludes the letter.
Blinken arrived in Rwanda on Wednesday 10th August 2022 expected to address members of the press on Thursday.
Mrs Jeannette Kagame was born on 10th August 1962. As she turns 60, President Kagame has via Twitter handle sent best wishes to his life partner with whom they spent many years together.
“A very Happy BD Jeannette! 60years sounds short. IMAGINE for 30+ we’ve been together-It is when everything FAMILY & COUNTRY we could look up to happened. Gets harder every day to ask for more or better. Bless ALL of us!!!” he tweeted.
President Kagame and Mrs Jeannette Kagame have begotten four children including three boys and one girl.
They were recently blessed with two grandchildren born to their daughter, Ange Kagame.
President Kagame and Mrs Jeannette Kagame got married in 1989 in Uganda where they had sought refuge.
The Urban CPI is considered as the headline index for monetary policy purposes. In addition, select detailed item indices are published for items judged to be important or experiencing extreme price movement.
Figures released today show that the Urban CPI increased by 15.6 percent on annual basis (July 2022 and July 2021) and increased by 1.7 percent on monthly basis (July 2022 to June 2022). The annual average inflation rate between July 2022 and July 2021 was 5.9 percent.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 28.6 percent, ‘Housing water, electricity, gas and other fuels’ increased by 7.5 percent, Transport increased by 12.4 percent while Restaurants and Hotels increased by 17.2 percent.
The CPI for July 2022 increased by 1.7 percent compared to June 2022. Food and nonalcoholic beverages increased by 2.9 percent.
Meanwhile, Rural CPI increased by 22.5 percent on annual basis from and increased by 3.5 percent on monthly basis from 17.9 % of the previous month.
NISR has also revealed that the overall Rwanda CPI increased by 19.6 percent on annual basis and increased by 2.7 percent on monthly basis.
Apart from Rwanda, prices continue to soar on the international market, mainly due to the war between Russia and Ukraine and hiked transport cost.
The Ministry of Infrastructure recently announced revised fuel prices where a liter of diesel is set at Rwf1607 while petrol costs Rwf1609 per liter. The fuel prices revised every two months depending on price changes on the international market will go into effect for two months from 8th August 2022.
The rise in fuel prices saw the cost of diesel increasing by Rwf104 from Rwf1503 while the price of petrol rose by Rwf149 from Rwf1460.
Speaking to RTV on Sunday, the Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Ernest Nsabimana revealed that the prices would have gone much higher hadn’t it been the government’s subsidy program.
He said that government injected almost Rwf10 billion to subsidize prices.
Amb. Wang Xuekun said that he is honoured to represent his country to Rwanda and reiterated commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation and friendship.
“Since the establishment of our bilateral ties, our bilateral cooperation and friendship have grown at faster pace. In recent years, the exchange between President Kagame and Xi Jinping have brought our bilateral relations to a new stage. We look forward to working together to promote our bilateral political trust and promote the mutual beneficial cooperation.
Rwanda and China started bilateral ties only after a decade of Rwanda’s Independence from Belgium.
Since 1971 and more particularly after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the two countries have worked closely to strategically develop their political and socio-economic ties.
China has greatly contributed to the development of Rwanda in key sectors ranging from investment, infrastructure, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), to mining, health, agriculture, defense and security.
Among others, China currently ranks among the top investors in Rwanda which has created thousands of jobs in different sectors.
In addition to traditional cooperation areas, the two countries enjoy cooperation in e-commerce, trade in high-quality agricultural produce, as well as combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rwanda’s coffee beans are popular on China’s e-commerce platforms.
Rwanda became the first African country to export dried chili to China. Figures released last year show that some 50,000 tons of dried chili were expected to be exported to China in 5 years.
Meanwhile, Amb. Andrew Zumbe of Malawi who also presented credentials to President Kagame said that more efforts will be expended to promote trade for the benefits of both countries’ people.
“I am here to learn what Rwanda is doing right. Rwanda is at the stage where we want to be. So, I will do my best to learn and advise my government what we must do. Besides, there is a lot we can do together like trade and tourism,” he said.
“We need to end this idea that we need to get visas to go to Malawi or come to Rwanda. I think Rwanda has done that and Malawi needs to do the same. Apart from that, there are things to do with the youth and women to empower people,” added Zumbe.
Rwanda and Malawi enjoy cooperation in different areas. In 2021, Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Malawi Police Service (MPS) signed an extradition treaty that will see both countries exchanging suspected criminals to face justice.
FDLR was established by remnant masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The Congolese Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, Patrick Muyaya has welcomed the report considering it a success in diplomacy because it contains findings in favour of his country’s allegations that Rwandan soldiers are present in DRC.
In late May and early June 2022, the report indicates that RDF conducted operations against rebel groups including FDLR-FOCA and RUD Urunana near Kibumba, in the area between the Nyamulagira and Nyiragongo volcanoes, and against Collectif des mouvements pour le changement /Forces de Défense du Peuple (CMC/FDP) in the areas around Rugari and Rumangabo.
Even though DRC welcomed most of its findings, the report which has not yet been officially published validates several concerns voiced by the Government of Rwanda including the collaboration between FARDC and FDLR.
{{Collaboration between FARDC and armed groups}}
From the last months of 2021, M23 rebel group continued to intensify operations against Congolese Army demanding the government to respect signed peace accords.
Instead of implementing signed accords, FARDC attacked M23 which responded and quelled the government’s army from different bases and seized Bunagana town at DRC’s border with Uganda.
For the past four months, M23 continued to accuse Congolese Army of attacking its bases in collaboration with different armed groups including FDLR.
The collaboration was also confirmed by the Government of Rwanda.
The report of UN Group of Experts reads that some armed groups gathered in Pinga, an area situated between Walikale and Masisi territories in North Kivu on 8th and 9th May 2022 where they forged a coalition.
Initially planned to define the armed groups’ position in relation to the Nairobi process, the report says, the coalition rather took a stand against M23.
The meeting brought together rival armed groups including the Nduma défense du Congo-Rénové (NDC-R) faction of sanctioned individual Guidon Mwisa Shimiray, the Alliance des patriotes pour un Congo libre et souverain (APCLS) represented by Janvier Karairi Buingo, the CMC/FDP led by Dominique Ndaruhuste alias Domi, and the Nyatura-Abazungu (Alliance of Congolese Nationalists for the Defense of Human Rights/ Alliance des forces pour la défense du peuple -ANCDH/AFDP) led by Jean-Marie Bonane.
“Although they do not appear on the outcome documents of the Pinga meeting, the Group was informed that FDLR Colonel Silencieux and FDLR Colonel Potifaro were also present. The Pinga meeting was also attended by FARDC Colonel Salomon Tokolonga [3411th regiment], in charge of operations and military intelligence who can be identified in the pictures of the meeting,” reads part of the report.
It further indicates that two major decisions were taken during the Pinga meeting.
Firstly, it was agreed that, under the agreed truce, armed groups would refrain from attacking each other. Secondly, it was decided to create a coalition to join forces with the FARDC to fight against M23 and its allies. According to witnesses who attended the meeting, armed groups leaders proposed to mobilise close to 600 combatants to support the FARDC under an armed fight qualified as “self-defence”.
“The presence of FARDC Colonel Tokolonga can be interpreted, at least, as an apparent endorsement by some FARDC members of the armed groups’ coalition and the official recognition of the cooperation of some FARDC members with this coalition. The Group met Colonel Tokolonga in Rugari on 7 June 2022, and notes that his hierarchy said it was unaware of the reasons for his prolonged stay in Rugari, a known FDLR and CMC/FDP stronghold, as also observed by the Group,” added the report.
Colonel Tokolonga is a former commander of Mai Mai armed group.
{{Support from FARDC}}
In several documents, videos and audio messages reportedly analysed by the Group, armed group leaders announced the mobilisation of their combatants in the fight against M23. For instance, in three videos of 21st June 2022, CMC/FDP spokesperson Jules Mulumba, surrounded by many armed combatants, expressed CMC/FDP readiness to fight against M23, Rwandan and Ugandan forces, and criticized the DRC Government and MONUSCO for still labelling CMC/FDP as “a negative force”.
The report reads that armed groups’ leaders, combatants and ex-combatants confirmed to the Group their involvement – either alone or jointly with some FARDC soldiers – in the fighting against M23.
“For example, ex-combatants and armed groups leaders reported to the Group that CMC/FDP, APCLS and FDLR combatants fought alongside some FARDC members around Bambu and Rugari in late May and early June 2022,” reads the report in part.
As the report goes, when the FARDC camp in Rumangabo was captured by M23 on 25th May 2022, armed groups’ combatants backed by some FARDC members launched a counterattack on 26th May 2022.
Several sources reported to have seen a group of 150 to 200 FDLR combatants close to the camp in Rumangabo a few hours before the counterattack. Else, the Group of Experts revealed that a video filmed on 26th May 2022 shows a group of armed groups’ combatants in the camp in Rumangabo and chanting slogans.
Moreover, during a meeting with the Group, the CMC/FDP spokesperson claimed victory in the counterattack on the camp in Rumangabo and told the Group that CMC/FDP and FDLR had continued to engage against M23/ARC soldiers in the area around Rumangabo and Rugari.
The Group observed armed groups combatants alongside some FARDC members in the Rumangabo camp on 9th June 2022.
Several ex-combatants and combatants, civil society sources and local authorities reported that following the Pinga meeting, members of the coalition of armed groups received weapons and ammunition from some FARDC members on several occasions.
One eyewitness, civil society actors and one source close to NDC-R Guidon faction informed the Group that, on 30th May 2022, a certain “General” Kassie from APCLS met with a commander of the 34016th regiment in Kitchanga, and received arms and ammunition as well as food stuff.
Another combatant said that his Mai Mai group had received weapons but that the FARDC colonel who had handed over the weapons and ammunition alleged that they had to be returned to the FARDC once M23/ARC was defeated.
“Local authorities, civil society sources, eyewitnesses and DRC security forces attested that since late May 2022, FDLR combatants in and around Rugari were better equipped and wore newly received uniforms,” adds the report.
{{Rockets shelled in Musanze}}
On 23rd May 2022, the Rwandan Government reported cross-border shelling by the FARDC on its territory in Kinigi and Nyange sectors of Musanze district, and in Gahunga sector Burera district. The Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) reported a total of eight 122 mm rockets shelled on Rwandan territory, seriously injuring two civilians and damaging infrastructure.
The EJVM is a mechanism of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) composed of military officers from the 12 member countries that is charged with monitoring and verification of border violations between DRC and neighbouring countries.
The report has however indicated that the EJVM which conducted onsite investigations, could not establish the origin of the artillery shelling.
“According to three independent sources, two of whom with close ties to armed groups active in Rutshuru territory, Colonel Ruvugayimikore Protogène, alias Ruhinda, of FDLR ordered the shelling of Rwandan villages by his troops,” reads an extract from the report.
When contacted by the Group, the report says, the FDLR spokesperson denied the group’s involvement in the shelling.
The group of experts disclosed that it continued its investigations to identify the origin of the artillery shelling which hit Musanze and Burera districts, as well as those
responsible for ordering or executing the shelling.
“The Group notes that the FARDC has 122 mm capability, but that this type of artillery ammunition has not yet been documented by the Group with FDLR,” reveals the report.
{{Denouncing collaboration with FDLR}}
Armed groups involvement, in particular FDLR participation, in operations against M23 was denounced. In a letter dated 6th June 2022 to the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General (SRSG) in the DRC and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), Ms. Bintou Keita, M23 president Bertrand Bisimwa denounced the participation of FDLR in the fight with FARDC. On several occasions, the Rwandan Government also accused the FARDC of using FDLR as a proxy.
The FARDC spokesperson of the military governor of North Kivu, General Ekenge, told the Group that the FARDC did not rely on armed groups when fighting against M23 even though he acknowledged that the FARDC faced challenges in mobilising its troops to the adequate level. Likewise, the Sokola II spokesperson in Kiwanja, Rutshuru territory, refuted the M23 claims that the FARDC used proxies.
“However, in late May and early June 2022, Brigadier-General Peter Cirimwami told to reliable sources of the Group that, de facto, the FARDC fought shoulder to shoulder with armed groups against M23,” adds the report.
In a statement of 12th May 2022, President Tshisekedi explicitly denounced the possibility of the FARDC using armed groups as proxies and said, “we do not extinguish fire by throwing oil on it”.
On 6 July 2022, following persistent allegations of the FARDC using local armed groups as proxies in Rutshuru territory, General Cirimwami was reassigned to Ituri province and replaced by General Clément Bitangalo.
{{Hate speeches}}
Since the intensification of M23 operations, the group of experts documented a worrying proliferation of xenophobic and hate speech and discourses inciting discrimination, hostility and violence targeting Rwandophone populations, in particular the Banyamulenge and Tutsi communities, leading at times to acts of violence against members of these communities.
Part of such acts pointed out by the report is a speech in front of his officers on 25th May 2022 where the North Kivu Deputy Police Commissioner, General Aba Van Ang, encouraged civilians to take up machetes to defend Goma against the enemy. Justin Bitakwira Bihona-Hayi, a former national minister and president of the Alliance pour la République et la conscience nationale (ARCN) political party called for every Congolese to stand up against the enemy and for the DRC Government to identify “infiltrators”.
The members of the Banyamulenge and Tutsi communities interviewed by the Group in North Kivu and South Kivu reported that, based on their perceived morphology and language, they were repeatedly told by various individuals, including some FARDC members, that they were not DRC citizens, that they were M23 members or supporting the M23 or Rwanda, and that they should return to Rwanda.
Sometimes, they were also threatened to be cut with machetes.
{{Will Nairobi Process materialize?}}
Recently, it was agreed that joint forces from the East African Community (EAC) will be deployed to disarm armed groups in DRC.
The troops will be deployed to North Kivu, South Kivu, Iruri and Uele provinces.
The report indicates that Tanzania has declined to take part in the force while the DRC authorities requested that Rwanda deploy within its own borders only.
Even though the Government of the DRC expressed, in principle, its support to the planned deployment of the regional force on its territory, several DRC political actors, civil society organizations and armed groups reacted to the planned deployment of the regional force with concern and skepticism.
In the aftermath of M23 taking control of Bunagana, the speaker of the DRC parliament, Christophe Mboso, called for the suspension of the military cooperation with Uganda. FARDC and military intelligence sources pointed to the lack of support to the FARDC from the UPDF when M23 took control of Bunagana questioning the commitment of the Government of Uganda to peace in the DRC.
On 13th June 2022, the Government of the DRC froze bilateral relations with Rwanda.
Some civil society actors have outrightly rejected the planned deployment while others asked for the withdrawal from the regional force of some countries, including Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi.
Some civil society actors as well as political and FARDC sources stressed that the three countries have a record of involvement in proxy wars in the DRC and have had for decades contributed to the chronic instability in the DRC.
Meanwhile, Congolese have been staging protests demanding MONUSCO to leave the country over failure to restore peace despite its presence for 20 years.
“The two little angels enjoying their time together,” he tweeted.
The picture posted on Twitter shows his first granddaughter holding the recently born baby.
The Head of State has two grandchildren born to his daughter, Ange Kagame.
Ange Kagame was married to Ndengeyingoma in July 2019. The couple was blessed with the first child born on 19th July 2020.
In July this year, they gave birth to the second child. The news was made public by President Kagame through a photo posted on his Twitter handle.
In 2020, President Kagame said that having a grandchild is very delightful.
Speaking to the national broadcaster in September 2020, the Head of State revealed that he was enjoying the promotion from being a father to being a grandfather.
“The Security Council needs to do some deep thinking in helping Africa achieve lasting peace,” Zhang told a Security Council open debate convened by China on the theme “Peace and security in Africa: capacity-building for sustaining peace.”
Considering China’s own development experience, experience from China-Africa cooperation, and the historical lessons from all over the world, China believes that to help Africa achieve long-term stability, it is imperative to make sustained and increased investments, have long-term thinking, and build a strong foundation for Africa to strengthen its own development capacity and improve its resilience to external shocks, he said.
“In this regard, capacity building is the most crucial part,” Zhang noted.
The envoy urged support for African countries in strengthening governance capacity. “To enhance government capacity, we need to maintain the right direction and respect the independently chosen development pathway and social system by their peoples.”
There should be no political conditions attached to aid, nor should there be interference in internal affairs of African countries, or to replace the role of local governments, he said.
For post-conflict countries, Zhang emphasized the need to support the newly established governments in exercising state authority, instead of endless criticism and fault-finding, let alone attempt of “democratic transformation” and arbitrary use of sanctions for exerting pressure.
It is important to support African countries in improving security sectors’ capacity to perform their duties. Heeding the complaints of African countries, it is necessary to conduct comprehensive reviews of some of the peacekeeping operations deployed by UN in Africa, and reform practices that do not fit the situation on the ground, he said.
Arms embargoes imposed by the Security Council on countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have a negative impact on capacity building of security sectors in these countries, and need to be adjusted and lifted in time. The funding of the African Union-led peace operations has been a persistent difficulty, which calls for a solution, he said.
Zhang underscored the need to support African countries in improving their sustainable development capacities.
At present, the African continent is beset with economic, financial, food, energy and other challenges. These are related to a turbulent international situation, but the underlying cause is the unjust and unfair international economic order.
African countries have expressed strong wishes for the unfair treatment to end, and the international community has the obligation to support them by helping Africa industrialize, accelerate infrastructure modernization, achieve financial autonomy, and increase economic independence, he said.
“Developed countries should honor their commitments on climate financing as soon as possible, and make up for what they owed to Africa in history,” he stressed.
Zhang also called for efforts to support African countries in building a bigger talent pool. “The international community should help African countries train more talents based on the urgent needs in reconstruction and social and economic development. There is a particular need to encourage countries affected by conflict to enhance policy support and resource input for youth and children, and expand special assistance in development and education.”
FDLR is a terrorist group comprised of remnant masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Recently, findings from an unvalidated report of UN Group of Experts dominated headlines of different international media houses. It was reported that the supposedly leaked report confirmed ‘solid evidences’ that Rwandan soldiers went to DRC to fight along with M23 rebel group.
Speaking to RFI, Minister Biruta said that Rwanda will react to the report once it is released.
Minister Biruta explained that he heard about the allegations where Rwanda is accused of having sent soldiers to DRC among other support.
The official said that the report would be problematic in case the experts confirm that they only saw Rwandan soldiers but fail to see FDLR combatants and report the collaboration between Congolese Army (FARDC) and FDLR.
The fact that drones said to have been deployed to monitor movements of Rwandan soldiers did not identify the rockets shelled on Rwandan territory at different times on 19th March, 3rd May and 10th June is also questionable.
It is said that the unvalidated report did not draw attention to hate speeches propagated by Congolese government, non-government organizations and Congolese people.
Minister Biruta revealed that FDLR is the root cause issues like M23 over continuously spreading genocide ideology.
The terrorist group continued to attack targeted groups of Congolese, triggering the establishment of more armed groups.
“There are over 130 armed groups present in eastern DRC but the group of experts only draw attention on one of them, make possible efforts to link it to Rwanda and assume that they have made a great discovery,” he said.
“The major and evident issue of concern which should have been detected is the existence of FDLR and its genocide ideology. It is like a doctor treating symptoms of a disease without drawing attention on causes,” added Minister Biruta.
The unvalidated report indicates that some members of Congo’s army have supported and fought alongside a coalition of armed groups including the FDLR.
Minister Biruta highlighted that Rwanda condemned the collaboration between FARDC and FDLR from the outset noting that there are evidences ignored by the experts and MONUSCO for the past 20 years.
“We want the international community and Congolese government to focus on the issue of FDLR and other groups threatening security in the region. All these groups harbouring genocide ideology and intentions to destabilize Rwanda’s security, want to finalize their Genocide plan as they say. This is our major concern,” he said.
“Whenever the problem is not solved with inaction of the international community and the Government of Congo, relations between Rwanda and DRC will continue to be affected,” added Minister Biruta.
He revealed that negotiations between both countries are ongoing where Rwanda requests DRC to find a solution for armed groups including M23 with which they signed peace accords in 2013 that were not implemented.
The prices will go into effect for two months from 8th August 2022.
The rise in fuel prices saw the cost of diesel increasing by Rwf104 from Rwf1503 while the price of petrol rose by Rwf149 from Rwf1460.
Speaking to RTV on Sunday, the Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Ernest Nsabimana revealed that the prices would have gone much higher hadn’t it been the government’s subsidy program.
He said that government injected almost Rwf10 billion to subsidize prices.
Hadn’t it been the subsidy, the price of diesel would be set at Rwf1757, an increase by Rwf254 while a liter of petrol would be set at Rwf1767, an increase by Rwf307.
Minister Nsabimana said that fuel prices continued to rise owing to effects of the war between Russia and Ukraine.
At the onset of the war in February this year, a liter of diesel was set at US$0.57 and increased to US$0.97 in July.
Dr. Nsabimana said that the increase in price in countries with natural reserves went in parallel with the cost of transport and insurance but expressed optimism that they might reduce gradually.
He revealed that the rise will not affect the price of public transport.
