The Rwandan Parliament has called for a balanced and objective approach to resolving the security crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), urging international actors to avoid one-sided narratives that could further escalate tensions in the region.
In a resolution passed on February 21, 2025, Rwandan lawmakers criticized the European Parliament’s recent stance on the conflict, arguing that it fails to address the historical and political complexities fueling instability in eastern DRC.
They condemned what they described as selective outrage, saying the European Parliament’s resolution unfairly targets Rwanda while ignoring the role of the Congolese government and its allied armed groups in perpetuating violence.
According to the Rwandan Parliament, the crisis in eastern DRC is deeply rooted in colonial-era territorial arrangements that left Kinyarwanda-speaking communities within Congolese borders.
They argued that successive Congolese governments have failed to address these historical injustices, fueling ethnic tensions, discrimination and violence, particularly against the Congolese Tutsi community.
The resolution further highlighted that the conflict has been exacerbated by the presence of over 250 armed groups in the region, the most prominent being the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR), a militia composed of individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Rwandan lawmakers accused the Congolese government of integrating these militias into its armed forces and forming an anti-Rwanda coalition that includes Burundian forces, European mercenaries, and ethnic militias known as Wazalendo.
The Parliament condemned recent attacks on Rwandan territory, including the cross-border assault in Rubavu on January 26, 2025, which killed 16 people and left 177 others injured. Lawmakers asserted that Rwanda cannot ignore such security threats and must take necessary measures to protect its citizens.
Additionally, the Rwandan Parliament took issue with the European Parliament’s focus on the March 23 Movement (M23), saying it failed to acknowledge the conditions that led to the group’s resurgence.
They also criticized the lack of condemnation for atrocities committed against Congolese Tutsi communities, who continue to face targeted killings, hate speech, and other forms of persecution.
Rejecting claims that the conflict is primarily driven by mineral exploitation, the Rwandan Parliament insisted that the root cause is the Congolese government’s failure to address internal ethnic divisions.
They also decried what they termed the politicization of development cooperation, warning that lobbying for sanctions against Rwanda would only embolden Kinshasa’s military ambitions rather than foster peace.
Despite the rising tensions, Rwandan lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to a diplomatic resolution.
They expressed support for the ongoing peace efforts, including the commitments made during the joint East African Community-Southern African Development Community (EAC-SADC) Heads of State Summit in Dar es Salaam on February 8, 2025, which the African Union later endorsed.
The resolution called on regional and international bodies to abandon biased narratives and instead promote meaningful dialogue among all warring parties.
The lawmakers urged the international community, particularly the European Union, to play an active role in combating genocide ideology and ensuring that individuals responsible for the 1994 genocide do not continue to pose a threat to regional security.
In conclusion, the Rwandan Parliament reiterated that every sovereign nation has the right to defend its territorial integrity and protect its people.
It urged global stakeholders, including the European Commission, the African Union and regional economic blocs, to take a more balanced approach in addressing the crisis in eastern DRC and fostering long-term peace in the Great Lakes region.
