Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, has claimed he is unsure whether his country’s forces are operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, despite mounting international accusations that Rwanda is backing the M23 rebel group.
The conflict, which has left over 900 people dead and thousands wounded, has intensified as M23 fighters reportedly took control of Goma last week.
During an exclusive CNN interview on Monday, Kagame was pressed on whether Rwandan troops were present in the DRC.
His response was evasive, “I don’t know,” he said, despite serving as the commander-in-chief of Rwanda’s military.
Kagame, however, did acknowledge Rwanda’s interest in the ongoing conflict, stating, “There are many things I don’t know. But if you want to ask me, is there a problem in Congo that concerns Rwanda? And that Rwanda would do anything to protect itself? I’d say 100%.”
The United Nations estimates that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan troops are actively involved in eastern DRC, outnumbering M23 fighters.
However, M23 spokesperson, Victor Tesongo, dismissed allegations of Rwandan support, calling them “a manipulation of public opinion to disqualify us.”
He argued that Rwanda’s primary focus is countering the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, a militia he accused of working alongside the Congolese government to undermine Rwanda’s security.
Meanwhile, DRC’s communications minister, Patrick Muyaya countered Kagame’s denials, emphasizing that Rwanda’s military presence is widely acknowledged.
“Kagame is the only voice denying this,” Muyaya told CNN, pointing out that the UN, SADC, and multiple regional leaders have all confirmed Rwandan involvement in the conflict.
As tensions rise, comparisons have emerged between Kagame and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who supported separatists in Ukraine’s Donbas region in 2014.
When asked about the parallels, Kagame dismissed them, “There will be so many stories,” he said. “I may be called anything – what can I do about it?”
Kagame also accused the Congolese military of integrating the FDLR into its ranks, calling the militia an “existential threat” to Rwanda. He reiterated that his country would take whatever steps necessary to ensure its survival.
“Nobody,” he declared, “is going to do it for us.”
The M23 rebels have vowed to press forward beyond Goma, with their spokesperson revealing plans to seize additional territories, including South Kivu province and even the capital, Kinshasa.
“Effectively our struggle cannot be limited to Goma, the objective remains to overthrow Tshisekedi and to install a new leadership capable of finding solutions to the problems faced by our people,” Tesongo said.
Meanwhile, Rwanda has reported civilian casualties as a result of the fighting. Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo confirmed that 16 people have died in Rwanda due to shelling from the conflict in Goma.
As the violence escalates, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has vowed a “vigorous and coordinated response” against M23, denouncing the rebels as Rwanda’s “puppet.”
