Olivier Nduhungirehe rejects blame for conflict in eastern DR Congo

Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, has dismissed allegations that Kigali is responsible for the persistent violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Speaking on Wednesday, Nduhungirehe characterized the instability in the eastern region of the DRC as a domestic Congolese matter, rejecting international narratives that place the blame on Rwanda. His remarks come at a time of heightened regional tension and increasing pressure from Western powers over Rwanda’s alleged involvement in the conflict.

The conflict centers on the activities of the M23 armed group, which has successfully seized significant portions of territory in eastern DRC. The Congolese government in Kinshasa has repeatedly accused Rwanda of providing direct military and logistical support to the rebels, an assertion backed by several United Nations reports. In response to these allegations, the United States recently took the step of imposing sanctions on the Rwandan defense ministry, citing its purported backing of M23 operations.

Minister Nduhungirehe's statements reaffirm Rwanda’s long-standing position of denial regarding its involvement with M23. By framing the violence as a primarily Congolese issue, the Rwandan government seeks to distance itself from the humanitarian crisis and the resulting displacement of thousands of civilians in the Great Lakes region. The diplomatic standoff continues to complicate peace efforts, even as Rwanda engages in separate international discussions regarding migrant management with European partners.