Rwanda : Mushikiwabo Welcomes Outcome of ICGLR Talks on Eastern DRC

Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo

Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo has welcomed the recommendations of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) meeting aimed at returning stability to the troubled Eastern DRC.

The meeting attended by Foreign Ministers and representatives from each of the 11 member states was held on Wednesday at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It agreed on a range of measures aimed at de-escalating the crisis in the DRC.

The recommendations included among other things the renewed focus on strong and decisive action against the FDLR who remain a threat to Rwanda as well as to Rwandophone and other communities in Eastern DRC.

The meeting also agreed on the re-enforcing surveillance on the border between Rwanda and the DRC, supervised by a mutually-agreed third-party.

In a statement, Mushikiwabo said that there is need to rebuild trust amidst the swirling allegations over the past several weeks.

“Rwanda is committed to working with partners in the region to reset the course towards peace and stability.

Our national interests are best served by harmonious relations with all our neighbours, this in turn delivers benefits in the form of increased trade, improved economic integration and greater security for citizens throughout the Great Lakes region,” said the Minister.

 Rwanda has in the past few weeks faced allegations that it was helping M23 rebels in Eastern DRC. The government has vehemently denied taking part in the instabilities, but the accusations have led to strained relations between the neighbouring countries.