Rwanda will continue playing proactive role in preventive diplomacy – deputy speaker

The Deputy Speaker in charge of Parliamentary Affairs warned of the dangers of hate speech and calls for genocide against Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), underscoring the need for a peaceful solution to the crisis in the neighbouring country. Edda Mukabagwiza was speaking on Thursday, July 7, while giving a brief on the political situation between Rwanda and DR Congo, during the meeting of the Political Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (APF). “Today, we are witnessing with horror the resurgence of anti-Rwanda hate speech, and pro-genocide calls which are unfortunately encouraged by certain officials and politicians in DRC, said Mukabagwiza. DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting M23 – a rebel group that is mainly made up of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese. The group argues it is fighting the Congolese Government over failing to live up to its assistance promises. This year, Mukabagwiza said, Rwanda underwent attacks from the DR Congo army – FARDC – which injured many and damaged property. According to a statement issued by the Rwanda Defence Force, on June 10, 2022, FARDC fired two rockets into Rwanda’s Musanze District. According to RDF, this followed similar shelling by forces in DRC on March 19 and May 23, 2022 in Kinigi and Nyange Sectors of Musanze District and in Gahunga Sector of Burera District, which caused casualties and damaged property. Meanwhile, Mukabagwiza highlighted that the two countries have shown signs of commitment to the normalisation of their relations and continue to work together to remove the last obstacles to the restoration of peaceful relations. Akpovi Eustache, MP from the National Assembly of Benin, said that APF should support Rwanda and DRC so that peace can be restored between the two countries. “I am particularly preoccupied by the question of the crisis between Rwanda and DRC. It would be good for us to act such that the two countries have a situation of peace,” he said. ‘Rwanda has firm commitment to peace, supporting refugees’ Mukabagwiza reiterated that with regard to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwandas position has always been – and will remain – that of a positive approach with a firm commitment to peace, security and economic development in the region. Through experience, she observed, Rwandans know the harshness and difficulties of the lives of refugees and stateless people. Thus, Rwanda will be open to all those who feel threatened or yearn for a better life. She explained that Rwanda offers a favourable protective environment to nearly 164,000 refugees - mainly from the DRC and Burundi, and it is within this principle that it has signed agreements, among others, with the United Kingdom, for asylum seekers. “Rwanda is playing and will continue to play a proactive role in preventive diplomacy, the establishment and consolidation of peace on the African continent, and in other parts of the world,” she remarked.

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Rwanda will continue playing proactive role in preventive diplomacy – deputy speaker