During a press briefing, the Quai d’Orsay spokesperson urged Kigali to respect the Luanda and Nairobi processes aimed at ending hostilities in North Kivu where the former rebellion resumed arms there one year old.
This is the first time that France has mentioned this link between the M23 and Rwanda. A real evolution of the diplomatic line. Until now, France had rather operated in recent years a rapprochement with the Kigali authorities. President Macron quickly wanted to distinguish himself from his predecessors. This is why Paris notably supported the candidacy of Louise Mushikiwabo at the head of La Francophonie in 2018. At that time, she was the Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs.
► To read also: The Duclert report, an important step in normalization between France and Rwanda
It is also in this sense that the Duclert commission was set up, responsible for shedding light on the role of France during the genocide of the Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994. Report which established “ a heavy and overwhelming set of responsibilities ” from Paris. And above all, there was an official trip by President Macron to Rwanda in 2021.
Added to this is the presence of the Rwandan army in Mozambique to fight against the jihadists in Cabo Delgado, where France has interests with a gas exploitation project for the company Total.
” An anticipation of the report of the UN experts »
A researcher specializing in the area explains this change of course as: “ An anticipation of the report of UN experts on the situation in eastern DRC “. This report, expected in the next few hours, adds this analyst, must once again highlight Rwanda’s support for the M23. Once again since in August a first report had already mentioned this link.
This new document would contain evidence “ overwhelming “, always according to the specialists of the region. And this report has already been in the hands of diplomats in New York for several days. We can therefore deduce that this is a blow of pressure for Western diplomacy.
Because so far ultimately, the only country to have made its position clear is the United States. American diplomacy has repeatedly pointed to the Rwanda / M23 link and has repeatedly officially requested that this support cease.
What about the other chancelleries
A report that also supports Congolese diplomatic efforts in recent months. “ Let’s see if the others will follow too asks an expert. The others are mainly European diplomacy and the United Kingdom.
On the side of the European Parliament, a step was already taken a few weeks ago. At the end of November, he had officially asked the ” Rwanda not to support the M23 “. But everything is in the formulation, it was not a condemnation like that of France. On the other hand, on the side of the European Union, and in particular the Commission, there has not yet been a declaration to this effect.
The United Kingdom for its part, which is one of the important voices of Western diplomacy, has important interests with Kigali. The two countries have concluded a controversial agreement which provides for Rwanda to welcome migrants who have arrived illegally in the United Kingdom while their asylum applications are examined. And Monday, British justice has recognized the legality of this agreement. We therefore imagine that it will be difficult for the United Kingdom to condemn Rwandan support for the M23.