All For Rwanda (AFR) unequivocally condemns the military aggression carried out by the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) and their proxy, the March 23 Movement (M23), against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This escalation, marked by the incursion into Goma, endangers regional stability and worsens the humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC. The sovereignty of the DRC and the safety of its citizens are gravely threatened.
Rwanda’s Direct Involvement
The attack on Goma is not merely the work of M23 but a direct operation by RDF forces under the command of Brigadier General Ruki Karusisi, Commander of the RDF Special Operations Forces. Recent operations include the deployment of special units trained at the Nasho Military Training Centre, actively engaged in cross-border assaults near Border Markers 12 and 13, north of Goma.
Efforts to Protect Civilians
AFR expresses its profound gratitude to all forces working to protect Congolese civilians, including millions of internally displaced persons, as well as Rwandan refugees, a particularly vulnerable and often neglected population. North Kivu hosts over 100,000 registered Rwandan refugees under UNHCR protection, with the number likely doubling when including undocumented refugees. These refugees, already weakened by years of exile, now face systematic and direct threats while being largely ignored by the international community. Their invisibility in global discussions on the eastern DRC crisis further exacerbates their marginalization.
The FARDC, Burundian forces, SAMIDRC, the Volunteers for the Defense of the Nation, and Rwandan refugee defense organizations play a critical role in safeguarding these populations, but their capacities are severely tested by the scale of the crisis. Enhanced international support is vital to strengthen these efforts, protect Congolese civilians and Rwandan refugees, and uphold the DRC’s sovereignty.
The June 2024 UN expert report confirmed that M23 and the Rwandan army deliberately target areas with high concentrations of Rwandan Hutu refugees, as well as regions densely populated by displaced Congolese. This systematic targeting exposes these populations to a cycle of massacres, forced displacements, and severe human rights violations. In Kibumba, for example, Rwandan refugees were brutally attacked, culminating in killings and sexual violence, while other villages in the region have seen their Congolese inhabitants displaced or murdered.
AFR’s Recommendations for Immediate Action
The attack on Goma by Rwanda has significantly worsened the humanitarian crisis, marked by massacres, mass displacements, and destruction. These actions, including the targeting of refugee camps and civilians, constitute blatant violations of international law, notably Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter and the 1949 Geneva Conventions. Furthermore, attacks on MONUSCO infrastructure undermine peacekeeping efforts and weaken the credibility of the UN Security Council.
The principle of the “Responsibility to Protect” (R2P) must be central to the international response to this crisis. Failure to act in the face of such aggression not only jeopardizes regional stability but also erodes confidence in global institutions, paving the way for further violations of international norms.
AFR calls for urgent and coordinated international measures to address this crisis:
- Targeted Sanctions: Impose sanctions on RDF civilian and military officials involved in this aggression.
- Suspension of Bilateral Aid: Halt financial and military assistance to Rwanda to prevent further regional destabilization.
- Classification of M23 as a Terrorist Organization: Officially designate M23 as a terrorist group and sanction its operations.
- Arms Transfer Monitoring: Establish mechanisms to prevent arms sales to Rwanda.
- Support for DRC Forces and Humanitarian Aid: Provide substantial assistance to Congolese forces and humanitarian organizations.
- Inclusive Dialogue: Require Kigali to engage in an expanded Luanda Process dialogue that includes representatives of refugees and political opposition groups. This dialogue must address the root causes of the 30-year crisis and the pretexts used by Rwanda to justify its aggression.
The Urgency of International Solidarity
Goma stands firm, bolstered by the courage and determination of its defenders, who resist Rwanda’s aggression with heroic resolve. These individuals fight for sovereignty, dignity, and peace in the region, embodying hope for a lasting resolution. Their bravery demands immediate and tangible international action.
Political, material, diplomatic, and logistical support must be provided to reinforce these efforts. Bilateral and multilateral partners must mobilize adequate resources to strengthen defense lines, deliver effective humanitarian aid, and reaffirm their commitment to the DRC’s sovereignty.
The pretexts often cited to justify inaction, such as the presence of FDLR in the DRC, must be rejected. They hold no weight in the face of a people fighting for their land and the survival of their nation. More than that, they are indecent, insulting the memory of those who fall daily to protect millions of lives at risk. Such arguments must no longer serve as alibis for passivity.
Lasting peace cannot be achieved through Paul Kagame’s aggression or hollow declarations. It requires firm solidarity with the defenders of Goma and an inclusive dialogue involving all relevant parties, backed by strong international pressure on aggressors to cease their atrocities.
The DRC cannot reverse this tide alone. The resilience of its defenders must be matched by determined international mobilization, faithful to the principles of sovereignty, justice, and peace. The credibility of global institutions and the future of millions of innocent lives depend on it.
ALL FOR RWANDA
January 28, 2025