Evidence uncovered in the city of Goma after it was captured by M23 indicates that the coalition of forces supporting the Kinshasa government had a plan not only to defeat M23 but also to extend the fighting into Rwanda, as stated in a press release issued by Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, condemning the SADC summit’s statement.
Rwanda has rejected allegations against the Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) mentioned in the statement from the Extraordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held on January 31, 2025. Rwanda asserted that “the RDF protects Rwanda’s borders and civilians; it does not attack civilians.”
The statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, February 2, 2025, declared that “SADC deployed forces under the SAMIDRC mission to support the DRC government’s war against its own citizens, M23, and their families, many of whom have fled as refugees to Rwanda and the broader region. The DRC government has also committed to attacking Rwanda and overthrowing its government, as stated by President Tshisekedi.”
The statement continued: “It is evident that SAMIDRC, in collaboration with coalition partners, including Burundian forces, the FDLR, and European mercenaries, is at the heart of the conflict and should not be present, as their involvement only exacerbates the existing problems.”
The claim that SAMIDRC was invited by the DRC government holds no merit, as they are there to fight the country’s own citizens and bring war into Rwanda, the statement further noted.
“Recent information from Goma, along with evidence of preparations for attacks organized with foreign forces fighting in eastern DRC, including the FDLR, shows that the objectives of the fighting were not limited to defeating M23 but also aimed at attacking Rwanda.”
Rwanda reiterated its commitment to pursuing a political solution to ongoing conflicts and welcomed the joint summit between the East African Community (EAC) and SADC.
