Rwandan President Paul Kagame has denied knowledge of any Rwandan troops being involved in the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), amid rising tensions over the M23 rebel group’s presence in the region. In a statement that has sparked international attention, Kagame emphasised that Rwanda would take “any action necessary” to protect its national security, but he refuted claims that Rwanda was directly involved in the fighting.
During a press conference, when asked about Rwanda’s potential involvement in supporting the M23 rebels, Kagame responded: “I don’t know. There are many things I don’t know. But what I do know is there is a problem in Congo that concerns Rwanda, and Rwanda will do anything to protect itself. I will say absolutely right,” he affirmed. Kagame added that the ongoing fighting in the region was a result of internal issues within DRC, and he dismissed any accusations that Rwanda was the cause of the conflict.
Pressed further on whether Rwandan forces were operating in eastern DRC, Kagame stood firm in his stance, stating, “I don’t know. As commander-in-chief, there are many things I don’t know.” His comments were made in the context of a broader discussion about the situation in the DRC, where the M23 militia—believed to be backed by Rwanda—has been engaged in fighting with Congolese government forces.
Kagame also pointed to the role of other countries in the region, particularly South Africa, which he accused of sending troops to the DRC to secure access to the country’s valuable mineral resources. “The people who are benefiting from the Congo’s minerals are South Africa,” he said, implying that South Africa’s military presence in the DRC was driven by economic interests, particularly the extraction of minerals like coltan.
The president took the opportunity to challenge South African journalists on the issue, inviting them to come to Rwanda and see firsthand the country’s mining operations. He called the media to “come and take you to the mines in Rwanda,” referring to the country’s own mining industry, which has long been a crucial part of its economy.
Kagame also dismissed any comparisons to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has faced international criticism for his actions in Ukraine. When a journalist referred to him as “the Putin of Africa,” Kagame was unapologetic, saying, “We have to do what we have to do. We must make sure we survive any storms that blow across our country.”
The tension between Rwanda and the DRC has escalated in recent months, with both nations accusing each other of supporting armed groups in the volatile eastern region of the DRC. Rwanda has been accused of backing the M23 rebels, a claim the Rwandan government has repeatedly denied.
