In the last few weeks and months, terms like “human rights”, “peacekeeping”, the “international community”, and “territorial integrity” have become central to global discourse. However, the significance of these concepts often seems to vary, with some voices being amplified while others remain muted. It’s a question that should stir concern in any reasonable and conscious individual: why are certain voices considered while others are overlooked and disregarded? This disparity calls for a deeper exploration of how power dynamics influence whose perspectives are prioritized and whose are ignored, particularly in the Great Lakes’ Region, where the overt persecution of specific ethnic groups has long been observed in silence. Is Territorial Integrity a Universal and Fair Principle? Increasingly and most unfortunately, the territorial integrity of Africans is handled just like the practice of match-fixing, where individuals invest money to control the outcome of the game. This raises the question of whether the United Nations' definition Territorial integrity is the principle under international law that sovereign states have the right to defend their borders and all territory within them from external aggression is fundamentally flawed. The territorial integrity of Rwanda should be respected just as that of the Democratic Republic of Congo. When the DRC (then Zaire) allowed armed genocide fugitives (Ex-FAR) to cross its borders in 1994, failed to disarm them, and even allowed them to bolster their weapons and training, it created a serious security threat to Rwanda. These groups openly declared their intent to overthrow the Rwandan government, launching violent attacks against Rwanda starting in 1996. Despite Rwanda's legitimate concerns, its voice was largely ignored and dismissed until Rwanda took decisive actions to secure its borders and people. For many years, overthrowing the Rwandan government has seemingly been a longstanding goal for certain DRC leaders. After the total defeat of Ex-FAR, they took matters into their own hands by forming the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda) from the ranks of the defeated Ex-FAR soldiers, hoping that one day they could succeed in their objective. Over time, numerous attacks by the FDLR, targeting innocent Rwandan civilians, were carried out from the DRC, yet they failed to achieve their intended outcomes. Meanwhile, the international community’s supposed efforts to dismantle the FDLR proved ineffective. Rather than taking meaningful action, the DRC government not only failed to dismantle the group but rather strengthened it, with the FDLR becoming a key ally of the DRC's own army (FARDC). Despite Rwanda’s repeated calls to address this security threat, our concerns were largely dismissed and went unheard on the international stage. International community – A double edged knife? While I acknowledge the positive efforts of the international community in supporting vulnerable populations around the world, I cannot ignore its significant shortcomings and failures, particularly in the context of our region's ongoing crisis. The international community's inability to prevent the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and its failure to resolve the ongoing conflict in Eastern DRC, which has persisted for over two decades, is both unacceptable and unjust. It is deeply dishonest to hold Rwanda and President Kagame accountable for the devastating consequences of these crises. Since 1994, Rwanda has worked tirelessly to rebuild itself from the ashes of a failed state. Under the leadership of His Excellency President Paul Kagame, the country has undergone a remarkable transformation. Despite facing numerous challenges ranging from external threats and hostile forces to widespread criticism; President Kagame has remained resolute in his commitment to his country's recovery and the well-being of its people. His leadership has been recognized globally, earning him numerous accolades and international leadership awards. The world cannot deny the profound impact of his contributions, both in Rwanda and on the global stage. Here are some important questions to reflect on regarding this matter: How can we justify the silence of the international community in the face of declarations from two Heads of State who openly stated their intention to support the overthrow of a neighbouring government, without any meaningful intervention or consequences? How can we explain the failure of the international community, through missions like MONUC later MONUSCO, to restore peace and security in Eastern DRC over a span of more than 25 years, despite the significant resources and support allocated to this cause? Why is it that neighbouring countries to the DRC have been hosting refugees for over 30 years, many of whom continue to live in camps under harsh conditions? These refugees, who were displaced by the conflicts in the region, have been systematically denied recognition of their Congolese identity and origins. This denial not only perpetuates their statelessness but also deepens the cycle of instability in the region. How can the international community stand by as young, untrained Congolese civilians (Wazalendo) are armed and sent to assist the government forces (FARDC), yet remain completely silent on the matter? The voices of the Congolese people, who are crying out against the insecurity and chaos instigated by their own leaders, are consistently ignored and dismissed. Who should be held accountable for ignoring regional and Global Resolutions? Various regional and international bodies, including the UN, SADC, and EAC, have called for the DRC government to engage in direct dialogue with M23 as a crucial step toward resolving the ongoing conflict. These resolutions reflect a broad consensus on the importance of dialogue to find a lasting solution. However, despite these calls, President Tshisekedi has openly declared that he will never negotiate with M23. This refusal to engage in talks is a significant obstacle to the peace process, yet, to date, I have not heard any condemnation from the international community regarding this stance. By rejecting dialogue, the DRC government is further complicating efforts to resolve the conflict, and the lack of accountability for this attitude only serves to exacerbate the situation. Sanctions - How good or sustainable are they Really? Imposing sanctions on the leaders of M23 is, in many ways, a futile effort. To truly understand the root causes of the M23 movement and what they are fighting for, it becomes clear that there is no sanction more painful or destructive than the denial of one’s identity, heritage, and the very means of survival. There is no greater punishment than being displaced for over 30 years in a refugee camp, while the lands of your ancestors are being exploited by a government that has never acknowledged your existence or your rights. There is no sanction more brutal than being relentlessly persecuted, attacked, and displaced by your own government, with your suffering falling on deaf ears, your cries unheard and your worth unrecognized. It is deeply unfortunate to witness the relentless efforts of some DRC officials to tarnish Rwanda’s image on the global stage, as they seek to impose sanctions and actively work to undermine Rwanda’s significant development projects. Such actions seem driven by opportunistic motives, with only a few countries and leaders willing to buy into this narrative. However, the truth will inevitably surface, and those who have been misled will soon realize the real dynamics at play. Sanctions, in this context, will never provide a lasting solution to the crisis in the DRC. Instead, they serve only to appease certain ineffective leaders and powerbrokers who have long benefited from the ongoing instability in the region, capitalizing on the chaos and poor governance that plague the DRC. Humans vs Minerals – Whose lives matter? It is deeply unsettling to witness how the minerals of the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have become central to the suffering and turmoil in the region, overshadowing the value of human life. Countless lives have been lost, with people being killed, mutilated, and even consumed in horrific acts of violence. Meanwhile, the plight of refugees, often stranded far from home, goes largely ignored. How did humanity arrive at this point, where insecurity, brutal killings, and the establishment of refugee camps are not just ongoing but seem to be perpetuated to justify the continuous flow of humanitarian aid and peacekeeping operations? Ironically, much of this aid could be redirected towards long-term development efforts, if only the people were secure and safe in their own homeland. History offers valuable lessons, and it is crucial to approach it with a clear understanding of the complexities involved. It’s all too easy to blame Rwanda for the turmoil in Eastern DRC, depending on one’s level of information or whose interests one is serving, particularly when the narrative centers on the extraction of minerals. This narrative overlooks Rwanda’s remarkable journey of resilience and socio-economic transformation, which should not be simplified to the idea that it owes its development solely to the minerals of DRC. In fact, there is no evidence of any Rwandan companies holding agreements with the Congolese government to extract these minerals. Yet, foreign companies from other nations have been operating in DRC for over 50-100 years, profiting from mineral extraction. The crucial question is: have these companies made any substantial contributions to improving the lives of Congolese people in return? The answer is no. Quite simply: what we all seek is peace in our region; a peace that brings us together, strengthens our connections, and allows us to shape our own future. We must take control of our own destiny, forging partnerships that empower us to grow and thrive, rather than relying on those who would simply continue to baby us for generations. What we need are leaders who are committed to thinking critically, working tirelessly, and fighting resolutely for the best interests of their people. As President Paul Kagame once wisely said, If we allow others to define our problems and take responsibility for solving them, we have ourselves to blame. This serves as a powerful reminder that true progress comes when we take ownership of our challenges and actively work toward solutions that benefit us all.
