President Paul Kagame has called on citizens to prepare for the economic and political impact of sanctions imposed by several Western countries over Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Speaking at a citizen outreach event in Kigali on Sunday, Mr Kagame acknowledged the hardship ahead, urging unity and resilience among Rwandans.
Countries including Belgium, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States have imposed restrictions on Rwanda in response to accusations that Kigali is backing M23 rebels. The rebel group has captured key territories in North and South Kivu provinces in eastern DRC, further escalating regional tensions.
President Kagame likened the hardships to the sacrifices made during Rwanda’s liberation struggle, stating, “It will be burdensome and tasking, just like how costly liberating this country was. Some people lost their lives so Rwanda can stand.”
He urged Rwandans to stand firm against external pressures, saying, “We have to tighten our belts. Tightening your belt such that even if you lose weight due to hunger, the trousers don’t fall.”
The President also warned that overcoming these sanctions would not be easy but stressed the importance of national unity and self-reliance: “Rwandans have to remain united and build their country, then confront those who want to destroy us.”
Why is Kagame criticising Western powers?
Mr Kagame has questioned the legitimacy of sanctions, arguing that some countries imposing them do not even understand the reasons behind them. He said: “There are even those we ask to tell us the reason behind the sanctions, and they tell us they don’t know, that the Belgians asked them to do so.”
He accused Belgium, Rwanda’s former colonial ruler, of continuing to interfere in the region, saying, “Belgium has killed our country throughout history, killing our people. And keeps coming back to kill even those that didn’t die.”
Why is Rwanda blaming Belgium?
The President placed responsibility for instability in the Great Lakes region on Belgium, which colonised Rwanda, DRC and Burundi. He argued that Belgium’s colonial policies contributed to the divisions and conflicts in the region.
“One of our biggest misfortunes is that we were colonised by a small country like Belgium, which cut our country up so it can be small like it (Belgium),” he remarked.
Despite the tensions, Mr Kagame was optimistic about resolving the DRC conflict through diplomacy. He pointed out that Kinshasa is beginning to recognise that military solutions alone will not end the crisis: “Where things are now, it’s clear that using force to get what you want will not yield anything. If it was the case, DRC wouldn’t have lost some of its territories.”
He highlighted ongoing diplomatic efforts by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), including recent meetings in Nairobi and upcoming talks in Harare. He noted that while political negotiations will take time due to differing interests, dialogue remains the best path forward.
Reassurance on security
Mr Kagame reassured Rwandans that Rwanda has dealt with the threat posed by the Interahamwe and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia group linked to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. He asserted: “The tendency of neighbouring countries and other parties empowering Interahamwe/FDLR to attack Rwanda will not happen again. It’s like the solution for that has been obtained.”
While President Kagame’s speech carried a tone of defiance against external pressure, it also underscored Rwanda’s commitment to self-reliance and regional stability. His remarks reflect the growing geopolitical complexities in the Great Lakes region, where historical grievances, economic sanctions, and diplomatic manoeuvers continue to shape the future.
On Monday, both Rwanda and Belgium announced the expulsion of each other’s diplomats.
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