Rwanda has called for the withdrawal of all foreign troops stationed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), arguing that their presence poses a threat to its national security.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Ernest Rwamucyo, made this statement during a UN Security Council session on Wednesday in New York, where discussions on the conflict in eastern Congo and possible solutions continued.
He emphasized that Rwanda has no choice but to strengthen its defense and will continue to do so.
“Rwanda is deeply concerned about the concentration of foreign troops near its borders, including Burundian forces aligned with the FDLR, the SAMIDRC troops, and remaining mercenaries. We are also alarmed by the DRC President’s continued efforts to bring in more foreign forces, as he is still appealing to other African nations. All foreign troops must leave eastern DRC because they pose a direct threat to Rwanda’s security,” said Ambassador Rwamucyo.
He further highlighted that FARDC and Burundian forces, during the fall of Goma, crossed into Rwanda and shelled its territory, killing 16 innocent civilians and injuring 177 others.
Despite this act of aggression, no country condemned the attack, which, according to the ambassador, leaves Rwanda with no other option but to reinforce its defense strategies for its own protection.
