The tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have dipped even further following the recent wave of accusations by Kigali. Rwanda has alleged that DRC is gearing up for war by reportedly hiring foreign mercenaries which is a blatant undermining of the regional efforts to foster peace in the conflict-ridden eastern DRC.
Rwanda has accused Kinshasa of continuing to provide weapons and its forces are fighting alongside illegal armed groups in eastern DRC including the genocidal militia FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda).
In the most recent statement from the Rwandan side, it is an apparent violation of the Nairobi Process, which is aimed at disarmament and demobilization of these armed groups, and a threat to Rwanda’s security.
The recent statement appears to be a response to Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi who told business leaders at the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, that Rwanda is blocking development in the region.
The tensions between the two neighbors have been escalating and undermining the ongoing peace process that hopes to deploy the East Africa Regional Force in DRC to aid in the disarmament and erecting a permanent ceasefire and the defeat of the various rebel and terror groups that have been terrorizing the residents of Ituri and North Kivu provinces.
