Rwanda's Permanent Representative to the United Nations has told the Security Council that the Kinshasa-backed FDLR militia continues to pose an existential threat and that neutralising it will be central to resolving the conflict in eastern DR Congo. ALSO READ: FDLR links to Habyarimana's son raise regional security concerns - report Addressing the council briefing on MONUSCO on Thursday, March 26, Ambassador Martin Ngoga said Rwanda’s position on the conflict remains anchored on addressing its root causes, particularly the presence and ideology of the FDLR. “The conflict in eastern DR Congo is not of Rwanda’s making. Rwanda’s concern has always been the FDLR and the genocidal ideology it carries; an ideology that is now spreading in public discourse,” he said. At today’s @UN Security Council meeting presided over by @US_SrAdvisorAF Mr. Massad Boulos, Amb. @martin_ngoga delivered #Rwanda’s statement on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Ambassador’s intervention highlighted; ⁰ A sharp escalation in drone strikes... pic.twitter.com/gNaiJMtXE7 — Permanent Mission of Rwanda to The United Nations (@RwandaUN) March 26, 2026 Ngoga stressed that the FDLR should not be treated as an ordinary armed group, describing it as a force with genocidal intent. “The FDLR is not an ordinary armed group. It is a genocidal force, founded by remnants of those responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, and its genocidal ideology has never changed,” the envoy said. “For Rwanda, it remains an ever-present threat, particularly given the devastation our country suffered as a result of that ideology.” ALSO READ: Kagame: Rwanda faces impossible choice to tolerate or defend against FDLR He added that after decades of discussions at the Security Council, there is enough clarity about the group’s objectives. “After 31 years of discussion in this chamber on the origins and intentions of FDLR, there should be no ambiguity: This is a group whose intent is to exterminate a people,” Ngoga said. The Rwandan envoy further emphasized that any meaningful peace process must directly address the threat posed by the group. “Let me therefore be clear, addressing the threat of FDLR is indispensable to any credible and lasting solution to the conflict in eastern DR Congo, This group must be neutralized and their ideology and its vectors such as hate speech must be eradicated.” ALSO READ: Kagame says Habyarimana's son travelled to Kinshasa to deepen ties with FDLR Beyond the FDLR, Ngoga noted that the situation in eastern DR Congo is also driven by internal dynamics that require Congolese-led solutions. “Developments in eastern DR Congo are also shaped by their internal dynamics that require Congolese-led solutions and sustained attention to the root causes of the conflict,” he said. He pointed to ongoing peace efforts, highlighting the importance of parallel processes aimed at stabilising the region. “In this regard, the Doha Framework for Peace [signed between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 rebels] provides an important platform for dialogue aimed at addressing these internal drivers of instability. Progress in this process is therefore essential,” he said. “Progress in the Doha process, advancing in parallel with the implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement, will be critical to achieving a durable ceasefire and creating the conditions for a sustainable political settlement.” ALSO READ: Rwanda's defensive measures to remain 'until FDLR threat is gone' Ngoga added that these processes offer a pathway to resolving longstanding issues, including the plight of hundreds of thousands of Congolese refugees. “It is through this peace process that longstanding historical issues, including those affecting minority groups, will be addressed in a definitive manner,” he said. “This track also provides the framework to finally resolve enduring challenges, such as the dignified return of refugees who have remained in camps for nearly three decades - 300,000 refugees in the region and many others in Western countries.” ALSO READ: Kabila speaks out on Goma drone attack, slams ‘Tshisekedi’s tyranny’ He also commended international partners supporting mediation efforts, including US, Qatar and African Union. “Enforcement and support mechanisms for these peace processes must be not only even-handed but also be seen to be even handed.” The ambassador also raised concern over the worsening situation on the ground in eastern DR Congo, citing increased attacks on civilians. He pointed to the growing use of aerial attacks in populated areas. “Recent months have also seen an escalation in the use of drone strikes and other aerial attacks in populated areas,” Ngoga said. “As the report notes, such attacks have already resulted in civilian casualties, including the tragic strike in Goma earlier this month that killed a humanitarian worker and other civilians.” He detailed a series of incidents since January, including drone strikes in the High Plateaus, Minembwe, and other areas, which caused civilian casualties, injuries to children, and destruction of homes and infrastructure. “These developments underscore the urgent need for a ceasefire and for conditions that can effectively protect vulnerable communities and support ongoing political processes,” he said. Ngoga reaffirmed the country’s commitment to ongoing peace initiatives, both Washington and Doha processes, noting that the agreements reached under these processes must now be translated into concrete progress on the ground. “The effective functioning of the agreed monitoring mechanisms will be critical to building confidence, ensuring accountability, and supporting the full implementation of these commitments.” “If we remain focused on implementation and on addressing the root causes of this conflict, we have a genuine opportunity to move toward a durable and lasting peace in the region. Rwanda pledges to play its part honestly and fully.”
