By Ollus Ndomu
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has accused Western nations of siding with forces targeting Tutsis in the Great Lakes region, saying their actions have fueled the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Speaking during the 31st commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, Kagame delivered a sharp rebuke to what he described as hypocritical and selective outrage from international powers. He warned that threats of sanctions would not stop Rwanda from acting in defense of its interests and people.
“You have your own issues to deal with, go and deal with your own issues and leave me to mine,” Kagame said. “No amount of pressure or intimidation will change our resolve.”
The Rwandan leader said the plight of Tutsis in eastern DRC continues to be ignored by the global community, despite growing violence and instability in the region. He accused some Western countries of supporting or tolerating those responsible for attacks against Tutsi communities.
Kagame’s remarks come amid renewed tensions between Rwanda and the DRC, with Kinshasa accusing Kigali of backing the M23 rebel group. Rwanda denies the allegations and insists it is being scapegoated for Congo’s internal problems.
The international community has expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in eastern Congo, where millions have been displaced by fighting. Kagame’s comments suggest a deepening rift between Rwanda and some of its longtime foreign partners.
