The international community is taking turns in imposing punitive measures on Rwanda for its alleged support of the AFC/M23 fighters in the ongoing conflict in east of the DR Congo.

However, this same community has long viewed eastern DR Congo as a region rich in mineral resources, with little regard for the people who live there. The suffering of these people continues to be overshadowed by geopolitical and economic interests.

Among those most affected by the violence are the Congolese Tutsi, who have faced decades of discrimination, persecution, and displacement at the hands of state functionaries and their acolytes.

Their right to safety, dignity, and citizenship which in other democracies are considered inherent, should not be ignored simply because of political agendas. Like any other community, they deserve protection—not just from armed groups, but from the prejudices that fuel cycles of violence.

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Yet, the Kinshasa regime, which has superintended over their suffering has never been sanctioned for the atrocities committed against them. Instead, due to the interests explained above, the perpetrator is being presented as the victim while the victim has become the villain.

Congolese Tutsi have been harassed, killed, and subjected to unspeakable violence, including being cannibalised, while both their government and the international community focused solely on the region's mineral wealth.

Now that the oppressed are fighting for their rights, one particular neighbour, Rwanda, is being punished for purportedly supporting those fighting for their own survival.

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Economic and political sanctions do not resolve conflicts, especially when the sanctioned is not part of the problem. They are often power moves intended to intimidate, but like the narrative surrounding eastern DR Congo, the common denominator is the total disregard for human life.

If the West was genuinely concerned about the conflict, it would prioritise dialogue. The people who call that region home, who for decades have been deemed expendable, simply want to be free and have from day one asked for their plight to be resolved without having to go to war.

In these challenging times, Rwandans must stand united and continue advocating for peace and justice irrespective of the odds against our country.

Our voices matter, so let’s ensure that we prioritize humanity over division, working together to create a future where all lives are respected, and lasting peace prevails. We have been there as a people and that is why we identify with the plight of these innocent Congolese.