The report of the United Nations group of experts on the Democratic Republic of Congo points to an intensification of the “already very serious” humanitarian crisis in the east of the DRC with in particular 2.3 million displaced people in Kivu and 7 million in total in the whole country. This report provides evidence of Rwandan involvement in the conflict shaking the region. And Belgium reacts by asking Kigali to withdraw its soldiers.
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with our correspondent in Brussels, Pierre Benazet
This is a very official press release from the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; it underlines that the United Nations report “ clearly establishes ” that the Rwandan armed forces are directly involved in the conflict. The report indicates that the Rwandan defense forces have strengthened their joint operations with the rebels of M23 and this involvement is decisive because with modern materials they have ” nailed to the ground » the air resources of the armed forces of the DRC.
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So far, the Belgium had repeatedly enjoined the Rwanda to stop its support for the rebels and to no longer get involved, now the ministry is going a step further at the risk of further damaging its relations with Kigali, relations that were already not at their best. And this statement, it must be emphasized, is in all respects similar to that of the State Department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United States.
On the other hand, even if the tone towards Rwanda is uncompromising, Belgium also asks the DRC that its armed forces cease cooperation with illegal armed groups, including the FDLR rebels (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda).