EU Diplomat Confronted over Rwanda’s Role in DR Congo Conflict

The article discusses the challenges in eastern DR Congo, where former German ambassador Peter Fahrenholtz questions EU claims regarding Rwanda’s support for M23 rebels. He emphasizes unresolved issues related to Congolese citizens in the conflict and the involvement of European mercenaries, while Rwandan officials highlight their national security concerns linked to this crisis.

A former German diplomat, Peter Fahrenholtz, has questioned the European Union regarding allegations of Rwanda’s involvement in the conflict with M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo. As ambassador to Rwanda from 2012 to 2016, Fahrenholtz responded to Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, who claimed that M23 must respect DR Congo’s territorial integrity. He believes that both the grievances of the M23 group and the persecution faced by Congolese Tutsi people are insufficiently addressed.

Fahrenholtz raised critical inquiries regarding the status of M23 members, asking if they were not citizens of the DR Congo and if European mercenaries were involved in combatting them. His emphasis is on the protection of ethnic minorities in eastern DR Congo amid the ongoing conflict. Approximately 2,000 Eastern European mercenaries reportedly joined the Congolese army to combat M23, in addition to local and regional forces, contributing to the complexity of the situation.

In a recent dialogue, Kallas met with Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe. Rwanda has denied supporting M23, citing security issues linked to the Congolese army’s collaboration with FDLR, a militia formerly associated with the 1994 genocide against Tutsi Rwandans. Nduhungirehe emphasized that Rwanda’s security concerns should not be overlooked, stressing that assigning blame to Rwanda will not resolve the eastern DR Congo crisis.

The ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo raises complex issues involving regional dynamics and the role of international actors. Diplomat Peter Fahrenholtz underscores the need to recognize the significance of M23’s grievances and the protection of ethnic minorities, while European involvement, including mercenary support, complicates the situation further. Both Rwandan and EU officials continue to navigate these intricate challenges without definitive resolutions in sight.

Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw