Kagame Hits Back as Fourth Nation Imposes Sanctions on Rwanda

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has lashed out at Germany after it joined other countries in imposing sanctions against Rwanda.

In a statement issued in the late night of Tuesday March 4, Kagame accused Germany of politicizing the conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“The politicization of development cooperation by Germany’s caretaker government is wrong and counterproductive,” Kagame alleged.

Further, the Rwandan president criticized Germany for contradicting its assertions of supporting an African-led process to resolve the conflict in eastern DRC.

Kagame Responds to Germany’s Sanctions Imposed on Rwanda

He noted that Germany allowed the DRC to evade accountability for numerous violations, which only reinforced the DRC’s aggressive stance and unnecessarily prolonged the conflict.

“For a country which prides itself on taking seriously the warning signs of ethnic extremism, Germany shows an utter lack of courage by ignoring the threat posed by DRC-backed FDLR genocidal militias to Rwanda, as well as to Congolese Tutsi communities in eastern DRC,” Rwanda President said.

Additionally, Kagame emphasized that countries like Germany, which bear historical responsibility for the ongoing instability in the Eastern DRC region, should refrain from imposing one-sided and coercive measures.

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Moreover, Kagame reiterated that Rwanda would continue to safeguard its national security while actively participating in the ongoing regional peace process despite Germany’s sanctions against his country.

“Rwanda will continue to protect its national security while remaining fully engaged in the ongoing regional peace process,” reiterated.

Kagame’s response comes hours after Germany imposed sanctions on Rwanda.

Germany Imposes Sanctions on Rwanda

On March 4, Germany’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group and announced that it would halt financial aid as a result.

“Rwandan troops are still operating in the Eastern DRC and supporting M23, thus violating the sovereignty of the DRC. Therefore, Germany is putting new financial commitments on hold & currently reviewing our bilateral development cooperation with Rwanda,” read the sataement.

For a while, Rwanda’s President has been at the center of global attention with European Nations accusing Rwanda of being involved in the Eastern DRC Conflict. A day after Canada, Germany was the most recent European country to impose sanctions on Rwanda.

Also Read: UK Slaps Kagame with 6 Key Sanctions

However, Kgame has vehemently denied being involved in the conflict and supporting the M232 rebels accusing the European nations of taking sides during the conflict instead of being neutral.

So far, Rwanda has been sanctioned by US, UK, Canada and Germany.

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