Rwandans in Northern Europe challenge false narratives of DR Congo crisis

Rwandans living in Nordic countries have raised concerns over what they describe as a “misleading and one-sided” narrative adopted by leaders in the European countries regarding the ongoing conflict in the DR Congo. They urged the governments of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland to adopt a “fact-based and principled diplomatic stance” on the crisis in the Great Lakes Region, these governments to embrace “impartiality and principled diplomacy”. Representatives of the Rwandan community wrote in a February 23 statement, some Nordic officials had been misled into believing that the M23 is made of Rwandans who invaded the DR Congo and that the threat posed by the FDLR militia – the UN and US-sanctioned terror group founded by extremists linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is “little and not worth the tough and consistent defensive measures taken by the Government of Rwanda.” “Your stance on the DRC- M23 issue should be guided by evidence, truth, justice, and human rights—not by political pressure from those with vested interests,” they wrote. “The best way to contribute to a lasting solution, requires to break away from one-sided narratives and engage in fact-based diplomacy, hold responsible actors accountable—not just those deemed politically convenient to condemn. Condemn ethnic cleansing and hate speech against Congolese Tutsi as firmly as you condemn other global atrocities.” Root causes of the conflict The statement highlights the colonial legacy as a fundamental driver of instability in eastern DR Congo, citing the “arbitrary borders” drawn during the Berlin Conference (1884–1885) that disregarded the ethnic, linguistic, and cultural realities of local communities, setting the stage for decades of conflict. The leaders argued that the portrayal of the M23 as a “Rwandan-backed” rebellion oversimplifies a complex situation “as widely misrepresented in international media.” The movement, they said, represents Congolese Tutsi who have long faced persecution and displacement. The Congolese government’s failure to honour past peace agreements with the rebels and protect citizens has fueled the group’s resurgence. They noted that eastern DR Congo is home to over 250 armed groups, the most prominent being the FDLR. “For nearly three decades, the FDLR has terrorized communities, massacred Congolese Tutsi, and launched attacks on Rwanda with impunity. Meanwhile, the Congolese government has repeatedly failed to address these security threats, choosing instead to fuel ethnic divisions and scapegoat Rwanda for its internal crises,” they added. Western media role in shaping perceptions The Rwandans in the Nordic countries also criticized Western media, including outlets in the Nordics, for propagating the misleading narrative of Rwanda backing M23, which shifts blame to Rwanda while ignoring the broader security crisis and DR Congpo’s own responsibility. “M23 is a Congolese movement with Congolese grievances. It emerged in response to the failure of the DR Congo government to honour peace agreements and protect the rights of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese, especially Tutsi communities, who continue to face persecution, displacement, and targeted killings,” they wrote in the statement. “M23 fight for their rights, the resurgence of M23 in late 2021 did not originate in Rwanda.” They added that western media coverage of DR Congo often overlooks documented atrocities against Congolese Tutsi, including ethnic cleansing, hate speech, and acts of extreme violence promoted by certain Congolese officials and armed groups. ALSO READ: DR Congo crisis: Rwanda Parliament condemns European legislature’s resolution They pointed out that international institutions, including the European Parliament, “have remained largely silent on these human rights violations.” “Whose lives matter? Are the lives of Congolese Tutsi expendable, their suffering mere background noise in the grander scheme of uninterrupted mineral supply chains? Not a single country in the EU has ever been offended or condemned these atrocities.” This selective outrage, they argued, raises fundamental questions about the inconsistency of global human rights advocacy. The role of Kinshasa and its allies The statement accused the Congolese government of escalating the conflict by forming alliances with Burundian forces, SADC forces, MONUSCO troops, European mercenaries, and armed groups, such as the FDLR and Wazalendo militias. These groups have repeatedly violated ceasefire agreements and launched attacks in the region, with some targeting Rwanda directly. They noted that this was justified by the UN’s recent confirmation that the late Maj Gen Peter Cyirimwami, the Military Governor of North Kivu, was the liaison between the FDLR and the Congolese armed forces. They also provided a historical record of cross-border attacks dating back to the late 1990s, including recent shelling incidents that resulted in civilian casualties in Rubavu and Musanze districts. They questioned why Rwanda’s security measures are condemned while similar actions by Western nations are justified under the principle of self-defense. This is a “double standard in international diplomacy,” they said. “When Rwanda and the RDF act to protect our own territory, we are met with condemnation. If the Nordics are entitled to self-defense, why is Rwanda not afforded the same right?” The also addressed allegations that Rwanda illegally exploits DR Congo’s minerals. The leaders dismissed these claims as “misinformation” designed to undermine Rwanda’s economic progress. “Rwanda has its own thriving mining industry, a sector that has been developing since the colonial era.” They noted Rwanda’s own mineral deposits of tungsten, tin, coltan, lithium, and rare earth minerals, which have been explored under international regulations. “The country has invested in processing facilities such as the Gasabo Gold Refinery, the Luna Tin Smelter and the POWER-X coltan refinery, adhering to traceability programmes with oversight from organizations like ITSCI and BSP to ensure compliance with global standards to ensure they are ‘conflict free,’” they said. Rather than blaming Rwanda, they argued, the focus should be on the corruption and instability within the DR Congo’s mining sector, where illicit trade networks—often benefiting external actors—continue to flourish.

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Rwandans in Northern Europe challenge false narratives of DR Congo crisis