Kagame Slams FDLR Disarmament Push As “Superficial,” Says Root Causes Ignored

Stephanie Nworah 2 months ago 2 min read

Kagame also condemned international sanctions against Rwanda/Photo: Instagram @paulkagame

Rwanda’s president reignited tensions with Kinshasa on Monday, dismissing new efforts to disarm the FDLR rebel group as inadequate and unconvincing.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has dismissed current attempts to disarm the FDLR rebel group, calling them “superficial” and insisting that none of the initiatives so far have tackled what he sees as the real drivers of the threat.

He cautioned that Rwanda’s concerns would persist as long as the group continues to operate.

At a press briefing held in Kigali on Monday, August 24, Kagame took aim at ongoing efforts involving the Democratic Republic of Congo and the FDLR, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda.

When questioned about a newly unveiled disarmament protocol, Kagame stated he had yet to encounter any plan that truly grappled with the deeper roots of the issue.

“It’s always superficial,” he said, though he stopped short of naming the recent protocol directly.

Kigali pushes for stronger action on FDLR

The FDLR traces its origins largely to former Rwandan military personnel and militia fighters tied to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

For decades, the group has maintained a presence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Kigali views the FDLR as a serious security concern and has consistently pushed for the group to be dismantled.

Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe echoed this criticism of the newest protocol, calling it a “political manoeuvre” and accusing Kinshasa of stalling.

*Kagame says Rwanda will always protect its national interest/Photo: Instagram @paulkagame*

He pointed out that eliminating the FDLR is a specific obligation Congo agreed to under the Washington peace deal, and argued the current protocol falls short of fulfilling that pledge.

Rwanda maintains security is the priority

Kagame noted that Rwanda will keep a close eye on the situation given its direct bearing on national security.

“As long as the problem is not resolved, Rwanda will remain concerned,” he said.

His comments reflect Kigali’s consistent stance that any action against armed groups in eastern Congo needs to tackle the security risks Rwanda attributes to the FDLR.

Sanctions come under fire too

Kagame also took issue with the international sanctions placed on Rwanda in connection with the eastern Congo conflict, arguing that they were making the situation harder to resolve rather than helping.

These statements arrive amid continuing diplomatic work on the wider eastern Congo conflict, with talks between Kinshasa, the AFC/M23, and various regional and international mediators still aimed at reaching a durable political resolution.

Kagame’s comments signal that the FDLR question will likely continue to be a major obstacle in the path toward stabilizing Rwanda–DRC relations.

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