Rwanda has said international sanctions will reduce the likelihood of peace with M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), after the United Kingdom said it would pause some bilateral aid and impose other diplomatic sanctions on Kigali.
“The punitive measures announced today by the UK government in response to the conflict in eastern DRC—where the UK has now clearly chosen a side—are regrettable,” Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
“The measures do nothing to help the Democratic Republic of Congo, nor do they contribute to achieving a sustainable political solution to the conflict in eastern DRC.”
The UK said the measures on Kigali would remain in force until there was significant progress in ending hostilities and a withdrawal of all Rwandan soldiers from Congolese territory, estimated by the United Nations to number several thousand.
Rwanda denies providing arms and troops to M23 and says its forces are acting in self-defense against the Congolese army and groups hostile to Kigali.
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