Kinshasa, DRC – (African Boulevard News) – France has condemned Rwanda’s “ongoing military support” of the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The French government has called for an immediate end to the support and demanded that the M23 rebels lay down their weapons.
The M23 rebels have been fighting in the DRC’s eastern region for several years, and Rwanda continues to be accused of arming, financing, and supporting the group. The rebels have been implicated in numerous human rights abuses, including mass killings, rapes, and other atrocities.
France’s condemnation comes as the United Nations continues to investigate the rebels’ activities in the region. The UN has accused Rwanda of providing direct military support to the M23 rebels and has called on both countries to respect the ceasefire agreement signed in 2013.
In a statement, France’s foreign ministry said: “France condemns in the strongest terms the ongoing military support provided by Rwanda to the M23 rebels in the DRC. We call on Rwanda to immediately end this support and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC.”
The statement added that France is “deeply concerned” by the violence and human rights abuses committed by the M23 rebels and called on all parties involved in the conflict to “find a peaceful and lasting solution.”
The condemnation by France is the latest in a series of calls by the international community for Rwanda to stop supporting the M23 rebels. Last month, the United States and the United Kingdom both called on Rwanda to end its support for the rebels.
The DRC has been plagued by violence and conflict for decades, and the M23 rebels are just one of many armed groups operating in the country. The conflict has resulted in the displacement of millions of people and has left the country’s infrastructure in tatters.
The UN is currently working with the DRC government and other stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the conflict. However, the continued support for the M23 rebels by Rwanda is seen as a major obstacle to achieving lasting peace in the region.
In conclusion, France’s condemnation of Rwanda’s support for the M23 rebels in the DRC highlights the need for all parties involved in the conflict to respect the ceasefire agreement signed in 2013. The international community must continue to put pressure on Rwanda to end its support for the rebels and work with the DRC government to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict.
