President Paul Kagame has called for collective efforts by regional leaders towards the end of security challenges in the Democratic Republic of Congo, mainly associated to armed militia groups based in the country. The President made the remarks in Parliament during the swearing in ceremony of new Ministers on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. Kagame singled out the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), among the armed militia that continue to act with total impunity and aim to destabilize the region, including Rwanda. Originally from Uganda, ADF has so far claimed hundreds of lives and looted property. Just recently several ADF terrorists were arrested in Kigali as the plotted to launch attacks in Rwanda in retaliation for support to wipe out terrosits in Mozambique. Rwandan and Mozambican forces are jointly working to flush out terror groups linked to ADF in Cabo Delgado. “Our primary focus therefore is the issue in DR Congo,” Kagame added, “There is already a connection between ADF, FDLR and several other armed terror outfits.” FDLR is a militia group that was formed by remnants of the genocidal forces after they fled Rwanda in 1994. He said that Rwanda was ready to play her part in resolving the security challenges stemming from the neighbouring country. “We consider several mechanisms including negotiations, there are times we plead, there are times we ask, but if need be, there are instances when we don’t do neither and instead act on the matter accordingly.” The President said that currently, leaders have come together to negotiate for common ground, but should the issue turn out to be a threat to Rwanda, “We are ready to step up, and defend our terrritory. Our main priority which is security for Rwandans.” The head of state also weighed in on Rwanda’s ties with neighboring countries, which he said were on a promising trajectory. Uganda Commenting on the recent decision to reopen the Gatuna border, Kagame said that the move was delayed by the fact that some outstanding issues that led to its closure three years ago had remained unresolved for long. The President pointed out that Rwanda did not spontanously close the border, but did so because of serious concerns they had and which they presented to their counterparts but did not react. The issues raised with Uganda include the persecution of innocent Rwandans in Uganda by security services and the support to elements aimed at distabilising Rwanda. Kagame disclosed that during a meeting with an envoy from Uganda, commitments were made to address the issues affecting relations between the two countries. “I maintained that opening the border would be good but doing so without addressing the reason it was closed would be wrong. We agreed that the reasons for the closure will be addressed. The border has been reopened and Uganda has been taking steps to resolve the issues,” the President said. The decision to reopen the border was preceded by a meeting between Uganda’s Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and President Kagame in Kigali. “We will keep monitoring the progress, and work together to fully open the border when the Covid-19 situation allows us to do so,” Kagame added. Burundi With Burundi, Kagame said that the ties which have been rocky for the past five years could return back to normal He pointed out that it was still work in progress, and both sides are committed to seeing it through. “Issues including security, especially in Kibira forest will be dealt with and those who have been threatening our security using that forest will face the consequences.” Kibira Forest which is wedged between both countries on the south-western part of Rwanda, has been previously used by militia groups to launch attacks in Rwanda. Rwanda’s deployment in Mozambique and CAR Rwandan alongside Mozambican troops have so far restored peace and stability to 80 percent of the Cabo Delgado province, Kagame said. The area had been ravaged by ISIS-linked terror groups, The joint forces, he added, are now clearing enemy pockets as well as establishing a model of capacity building for the Mozambican forces. The Head of State also spoke about Rwanda’s deployment to the Central African Republic. He said that Rwanda had originally deployed troops under the UN peacekeeping but later sent an additional force on bilateral arrangement between the government and their Central African counterparts. “Rules of engagement and mandate are different. UN is peacekeeping, but what do you keep when there is no peace?” he wondered. He said that both missions to CAR and Mozambique may ‘take longer’, due to the expected training of the local forces.
