By : Lloyd Mahachi

Rwanda rejected accusations made against the Rwanda Defence Force in a statement by the Southern African Development Community Extraordinary Summit held on January 31, 2025 in Harare Zimbabwe.

The RDF’s primary role is to defend Rwanda’s borders from threats, protect civilians and maintain peace and stability. In relation, SADC has deployed an offensive force, SAMIDRC, to support the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government’s war against its people, including the M23 and their communities.

Many of these individuals have fled to Rwanda and other parts of the region to seek refugee.

The DRC government, led by President Tshisekedi, has repeatedly stated its intention to attack Rwanda and overthrow its government.

It is clear that SAMIDRIC, along with its coalition partners, including Burundian armed forces, the FDLR, and European mercenaries, are central to the conflict and are exacerbating existing problems.

The argument that SAMIDRIC was invited by the DRC government is invalid, as their presence is meant to fight the country’s citizens and bring war to Rwanda.

Recent discoveries in Goma and documentary evidence reveal that attack preparations, planned with foreign forces, including the FDLR, aimed to defeat not only the M23 but also attack Rwanda.

Rwanda has consistently advocated for a political solution to the ongoing conflict and welcomes the proposed joint summit of the East African Community and SADC.

Editor : Josephine Mahachi