Rwanda faults US criticism over DR Congo violence

Rwanda has faulted the US for criticising it over the escalating violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo while expressing “deep concern” over what it terms the abandonment of the regional peace processes.

It also says the international community is indifferent to DR Congo’s “dramatic military build-up”, adding that the country’s massive operations in North Kivu is in contravention of decisions of the regional mechanisms.

Troops from the regional Southern African Development Community have been helping DR Congo’s military as it confronts a series of armed groups including the M23. Last week, two South African soldiers who are part of the forces were killed and three were injured after a mortar bomb landed in their base.

Over the weekend, the US condemned Rwanda’s alleged backing of Congolese M23 forces and called on it to immediately withdraw all its forces from DR Congo. Rwanda denies backing the M23.

A statement by the State Department spokesman asked Rwanda to “remove its surface-to-air missile systems in DR Congo, which it said threatened lives of civilians, peacekeepers and commercial flights.

Rwanda says the US statement distorts the reality, adding that DR Congo’s actions threaten its security and it reserves the right to take measures to defend itself against the threat.

It says it will seek clarification from the US as the statement contradicts the tone of the confidence-building process initiated by the US Director of National Intelligence last year.