GENEVA – Rwanda’s top diplomat in Geneva delivered a firm rebuttal against accusations linking her country to the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), demanding that such serious claims be substantiated with proof.
Ambassador Marie Chantal Urujeni Bakuramutsa, Rwanda’s Ambassador to Switzerland and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, addressed the UN during a session this week. Her comments came in response to what she characterized as unsubstantiated allegations made against Rwanda in the council.
“It is very concerning that a point of order was ignored by the President of the Council when my delegation called for clarification of a grave allegation that was not made with any evidence,” Ambassador Bakuramutsa stated.
The ambassador stressed that any allegations must be backed by “verifiable evidence” and called for accountability to be based solely on “objective reporting.” Her statement underscores Rwanda’s long-standing position of vehemently denying it provides military support to the M23, a claim repeatedly made by the DRC government, independent UN experts, and several Western nations.
The conflict in the eastern DRC has escalated recently, with the M23 making significant territorial gains. The group’s resurgence has intensified diplomatic tensions in the region and at international bodies like the UN.
Rwanda, in turn, has accused the DRC of collaborating with the FDLR, a Rwandan rebel group founded by remnants of the forces responsible for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Kigali views the FDLR as an existential threat and cites the DRC’s failure to disarm the group as a primary security concern.
Ambassador Bakuramutsa’s forceful intervention highlights the deep diplomatic rift surrounding the conflict and sets the stage for further contentious debates as the international community seeks to address the ongoing crisis.
