President Kagame defends Rwanda’s security measures over Eastern DRC Conflict

President Kagame said that in today’s world, no country can afford to be indifferent to geopolitical trends, noting that global dynamics are changing in ways that will affect all nations.

He said that regardless of differing views on whether a rules-based international order exists, it is clear that significant shifts are underway in global affairs.

However, Kagame emphasized that one principle remains unchanged: the right and duty of every nation to ensure the safety of its borders and its people.

"One thing that has not changed, however, is that right and duty of every nation, to ensure the safety of its borders and its people. It is that duty that never changes. Rwanda is no exception. And yet, for reasons that continue to elude us, Rwanda is consistently asked to ignore threats to its security and compromise its national defence", He said.

He said Rwanda, like any other country, has the responsibility to protect its citizens and territory, but is often asked to ignore threats to its security and compromise its national defence.

President Kagame pointed to the long-running conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, saying it is neither new nor difficult to understand.

According to him, the crisis has lasted for decades due to neglect and complacency, particularly from those who have the power to make the biggest difference in resolving it.

The Rwandan president said Rwanda’s security concerns are linked to the continued presence of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, which he described as promoting a violent extremist ideology rooted in genocide.

He added that the group appears to have backers in the region and beyond, operating under different guises.

Because of Rwanda’s history and geography, Kagame said the country requires defensive borders, stressing that Rwanda’s security measures are intended solely to protect its territory and people.

“Our defensive measures are aimed at this objective, and nothing else,” he said.