The UK has halted most bilateral aid to Rwanda due to the M23 group’s offensive in eastern DR Congo, which is believed to be backed by Rwandan troops. This suspension follows discussions between UK and Rwandan officials and aims to address the escalating conflict while assessing future military support and sanctions against Rwanda.
The UK government has suspended most direct bilateral aid to Rwanda due to military actions by the M23 group in eastern DR Congo, which is reportedly supported by Rwandan troops. This decision, announced on Tuesday, follows discussions between UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Rwandan President Paul Kagame about the escalating situation. The UK aims to respond firmly to the ongoing conflict in the region.
The M23 group has captured significant territories in eastern DR Congo, including important cities such as Goma and Bukavu, and has faced little resistance from Congolese forces. As a result, there has been a considerable displacement of local residents. The UK’s foreign office stated that it would halt any future defense training for Rwanda until substantial improvements occur in the conflict landscape.
The UK government is also considering potential new sanctions against Rwanda and reassessing export licenses for the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF). The decision has been met with criticism from Rwanda, which labeled these actions as “punitive” and argued they do not aid in resolving the conflict or contribute to political stability in the region.
Rwanda’s foreign ministry expressed regret over the UK’s actions, asserting that the measures chosen have taken a side in the ongoing conflict. The situation in eastern DR Congo has been complex, with armed conflicts persisting for over three decades, involving numerous groups and contributing to regional instability.
In summary, the UK has suspended most of its aid to Rwanda following the actions of the M23 group, which is allegedly supported by Rwanda. This decision comes in response to escalating violence and aims to press for significant changes in the conflict for future aid and support. Rwanda, however, has condemned these measures as detrimental to peace efforts in eastern DR Congo.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
