Rwanda condemns DRC for not respecting the Nairobi and Luanda peace agreement
RegionWeek Newsletter Vol VII, Issue #234 | Friday, January 20, 2023
Dear Readers,
The Government of Rwanda notes with regret, as mentioned in its statement of 18 January 2023 that the DRC is avoiding key decisions that came from the Nairobi and Luanda peace agreement held in November 2022.
According to the statement, the staged demonstrations against the EAC Regional Force, in Goma and other parts of the DRC, constitute part of a plan by the DRC military and government to exit the Nairobi/Luanda peace processes, noting that the goal of the demonstrations appears to cause the departure of the force, whereas the Luanda Communiqué calls for “Continued full deployment of the EAC Regional Force”.
Read Also: Luanda Mini-Summit: The EAC Orders the Cease of Hostilities of M23 Attacks in DRC as of Friday, November 25, 2022.
The Luanda Communiqué calls for the cessation of all political and military support to the genocidal militia FDLR and other illegal armed groups.
“The DRC is violating this decision by continuing to provide weapons and fighting alongside several illegal armed groups in Eastern DRC. This also constitutes a clear violation of the Nairobi Process, which is aimed at the disarmament and demobilization of these armed groups, and a threat to Rwanda’s security.” The statement reads
Of particular concern to Rwanda, in accordance with the statement, is the complete disregard of the Luanda decision to “consider and resolve the issue of the return of refugees to their countries of origin”.
Read Also: DRC: M-23 Assured Uhuru Kenyatta to Continue the Withdrawal and Respect the Cease-fire
“Rwanda continues to bear the burden of hosting over 75,000 Congolese refugees, with more arriving daily due to continued insecurity and persecution in the eastern DRC. The DRC government has not acknowledged the situation of these refugees and made no effort to facilitate their safe return to their homes in the DRC”. Statement reads
It further noted that the Government of DRC signed on to the ongoing Luanda and Nairobi processes as an implementing partner and should focus on full implementation. Attempts by the DRC to sabotage or abandon these regional agreements can only be seen as a choice to perpetuate conflict and insecurity.
Read Also: Paul Kagame says means to peace in Eastern DRC lies in diplomatic processes
Thanks for reading,
Fabrice Iranzi, Editor in Chief, RegionWeek