Rwanda denies supporting M23 as alleged by SADC

By Our Correspondent,  KIGALI Rwanda 

The Government of Rwanda has strongly denied the allegations against the Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) made in the declaration of the emergency meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held on January 31, 2025.

In the declaration,  SADC like other countries believe that Rwandan army are involved in the DR Congo conflict supporting the M23.

Through a statement issued today, February 2, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda, the government has emphasized that the RDF protects the borders of the country against threats and protects civilians, and does not aim to attack civilians as claimed.

The statement stated that SADC has sent the SAMIDRC military force to support the war of the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) against its citizens, especially the M23 fighters and their community, where many have fled to Rwanda and neighboring countries as refugees.

Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe accused SADC of worsening the crisis in eastern DR Congo by deploying the SAMIDRC force.

“SADC has sent troops to the DR Congo under the pretext of restoring peace, but in reality, they are supporting a war against Congolese citizens—specifically the M23 community, many of whom have sought refuge in Rwanda,” Amb Nduhungirehe said.

In addition, the Rwandan government alleges that the DRC aims to attack Rwanda and overthrow its government, something that the President of the DRC, Félix Tshisekedi, has been announcing frequently in public.

Rwanda has emphasized that SAMIDRC, in collaboration with the Burundian military, the FDLR rebel group and European mercenaries, have been part of the conflict and are exacerbating the crisis rather than bringing stability.

"Recent reports from Goma show evidence of preparations for attacks against Rwanda, which have been planned in collaboration with foreign forces fighting in eastern DRC, including the FDLR. Their goals were not only to defeat M23, but also to attack Rwanda," says part of the statement.  

Rwanda has continued to emphasize the need for a political solution to the crisis and welcomes the proposal for a joint meeting between the East African Community (EAC) and SADC in order to find a permanent agreement.