President Tshisekedi says Rwanda’s Kagame wants to annex eastern DR Congo for its mineral wealth, using M23 militia despite ceasefire deals
KINSHASA: Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has accused Rwandan leader Paul Kagame of seeking to annex eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for its vast natural resources.
Tshisekedi claimed Kagame is using the M23 militia to achieve his objectives in the resource-rich region.
The M23 rebel group has captured large territories in eastern DRC since resuming its armed campaign in 2021.
This offensive has worsened the humanitarian crisis in a region already plagued by over three decades of conflict.
The militia seized the key eastern cities of Goma and Bukavu, located near the Rwandan border.
It has established a parallel administration to the Kinshasa government and taken control of nearby mines.
Tshisekedi addressed these allegations to members of the Congolese diaspora in Cairo on Saturday.
He described Rwanda’s intentions as “bellicose and hegemonic” according to his office statement on X.
Kagame’s goal “is to divide our country and occupy, or even annex, the eastern part, which is very rich in mineral and agricultural resources,” Tshisekedi stated.
The Congolese president also blamed Kagame’s absence for the failure of previous truce talks mediated by Angola.
DR Congo and Rwanda subsequently signed a United States-brokered agreement aimed at ending the conflict.
Kinshasa also signed a separate permanent ceasefire agreement directly with the M23 militia.
These diplomatic efforts were pushed by the United States and mediated by Qatar.
However, violence continues on the ground in eastern DRC despite these agreements.
The eastern region contains vast deposits of crucial minerals including gold and coltan.
This area has experienced three decades of fighting among various armed groups and ethnic militias.
Foreign powers have sometimes become involved in these conflicts over the years.
Rwanda denies providing any military support to the M23 rebel group.
Kigali argues it faces an existential security threat from fighters in eastern DRC linked to the 1994 genocide. – AFP
