European and American governments to cut all aid to Rwanda for its role in destabilising the DRC
12 March 2025 - 05:40
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
M23 rebels sit on a truck during the escort of captured FDLR members to Rwanda for repatriation, at the Goma-Gisenyi Grande Barrier border crossing. Picture: Arlette Bashizi
Finally, the West has decided to increase pressure on Paul Kagame, Rwanda’s president, to pull out of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This is long overdue.
Last week, European and American governments announced that they would be cutting off all aid to Rwanda for its role in destabilising its neighbour, the DRC. For years, Rwanda has been supporting the M23 rebels who now control huge swathes of the eastern part of the DRC.
Rwanda has denied the claims. Yet, international observers, including the UN, have produced compelling evidence of Rwanda’s support to the rebels. This support has come in the form of sophisticated military hardware and troops on the ground.
France, Germany, the UK, Canada and the US have all now cut aid to Rwanda. The UK government, which had pledged to send thousands of refugees to Rwanda, has announced it would not be paying the balance of the resettlement funds in protest at Kigali’s role in the DRC.
This move is welcome and deserves to be applauded.
Despite its economic success and progress, Rwanda, which is not blessed with mineral wealth like its neighbour, relies on donor support. So, the withdrawal of this aid is likely to focus Kigali’s mind as its public coffers take strain.
Now that pressure is on, diplomacy must be intensified. A ceasefire should be implemented at once. Simultaneously, a dialogue among the Congolese, including the rebels, must be organised with the support of the international community.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
EDITORIAL: Sanctioning Kigali
European and American governments to cut all aid to Rwanda for its role in destabilising the DRC
Finally, the West has decided to increase pressure on Paul Kagame, Rwanda’s president, to pull out of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This is long overdue.
Last week, European and American governments announced that they would be cutting off all aid to Rwanda for its role in destabilising its neighbour, the DRC. For years, Rwanda has been supporting the M23 rebels who now control huge swathes of the eastern part of the DRC.
Rwanda has denied the claims. Yet, international observers, including the UN, have produced compelling evidence of Rwanda’s support to the rebels. This support has come in the form of sophisticated military hardware and troops on the ground.
France, Germany, the UK, Canada and the US have all now cut aid to Rwanda. The UK government, which had pledged to send thousands of refugees to Rwanda, has announced it would not be paying the balance of the resettlement funds in protest at Kigali’s role in the DRC.
This move is welcome and deserves to be applauded.
Despite its economic success and progress, Rwanda, which is not blessed with mineral wealth like its neighbour, relies on donor support. So, the withdrawal of this aid is likely to focus Kigali’s mind as its public coffers take strain.
Now that pressure is on, diplomacy must be intensified. A ceasefire should be implemented at once. Simultaneously, a dialogue among the Congolese, including the rebels, must be organised with the support of the international community.
US says it is open to critical minerals deal with DRC
M23 rebels drag 130 patients from two DRC hospitals
Rwanda wants £50m from UK for cancelled asylum deal
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.