Rwanda has strongly criticized Canada’s decision to impose sanctions over its alleged involvement in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), calling the move “shameful.” The rebuke comes amid escalating tensions in the region, where the M23 armed group, reportedly backed by Rwandan forces, has seized large portions of eastern DRC in recent weeks.
On Monday, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly condemned “the presence of the Rwanda Defence Force in the DRC and its support for the M23,” announcing that Canada would suspend export permits for “controlled goods and technologies” to Rwanda and review its participation in international events hosted by Kigali.
Joly, in a joint statement with other Canadian ministers, described Rwanda’s actions as “flagrant violations of the DRC’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and of the United Nations Charter.”
In response, Rwanda’s foreign ministry issued a statement on Tuesday, asserting that Canada’s position on the conflict is “shameful” and that the sanctions “will not solve the conflict.” The ministry added, “Canada cannot claim to welcome the efforts of regional actors in the peace process when it places the blame for all kinds of violations on Rwanda.”
Canada’s sanctions follow similar actions by other nations. In February, the British government announced it would suspend most bilateral aid to Rwanda over the M23 offensive, a move Kigali labeled as “punitive.” Earlier this month, the United States also sanctioned Rwandan Minister for Regional Integration James Kabarebe, accusing him of being “central” to Rwanda’s support for the M23 group.
The ongoing conflict in eastern DRC has drawn widespread international condemnation, with calls for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
