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The United Kingdom Tuesday suspended a portion of its financial aid to Rwanda, accusing the East African nation of supporting the M23 rebel group, which has been embroiled in a deadly conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Rwanda, which labeled it a “punitive” measure that does little to resolve the crisis.
The UK’s move marks a major diplomatic development in the ongoing conflict, which has seen M23 rebels seize vast territories in eastern DR Congo, causing widespread displacement and humanitarian devastation. According to the Congolese government, over 7,000 people have been killed, and hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee their homes since the conflict escalated in January.
For years, DR Congo has accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels, a charge that Kigali initially denied. However, Rwanda has recently adopted a more defensive stance, acknowledging that fighting near its border poses a security threat. The Rwandan government argues that instability in eastern DR Congo fuels cross-border tensions, making intervention necessary to protect its territory.
The M23, a largely Tutsi-led rebel group, claims it is fighting to defend the rights of Tutsi communities in DR Congo while also seeking to restore order in what it describes as a failed state. The group has launched a series of offensives in recent months, capturing key cities, including Goma and Bukavu, and displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians.
The United Nations and Western governments have repeatedly warned of Rwanda’s alleged involvement in the conflict. UN experts estimate that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan troops are currently operating in eastern DR Congo. The Congolese government has called for stronger international action, urging global powers to impose sanctions on Rwanda and cut financial ties with the country.
The UK government justified its aid suspension by pointing to the worsening humanitarian crisis in DR Congo. Foreign Secretary David Lammy noted that Rwanda receives approximately $40 million annually in bilateral aid from the UK, a portion of which will now be frozen. However, the UK clarified that funding for Rwanda’s poorest and most vulnerable citizens would not be affected.
In addition to suspending aid, the UK has pledged to reassess its defense cooperation with Rwanda, including halting future military training programs. It also indicated that further measures, such as economic sanctions, could be considered if “significant progress” is not made in ending hostilities and withdrawing Rwandan military personnel from DR Congo.
The decision signals a shift in the UK’s relationship with Rwanda, which has been historically strong. In 2022, the two nations signed a controversial asylum agreement, under which the UK planned to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda. However, the deal faced legal challenges and was abandoned last year following a change in the British government.
The UK’s move follows growing international scrutiny of Rwanda’s role in the conflict. Just last week, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s Minister of State for Regional Integration, James Kabarebe, accusing him of being a key figure in the country’s support for M23. Sanctions were also placed on M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka and two companies he controlled in France and the UK.
Rwanda swiftly condemned the US sanctions, calling them “unjustified” and dismissing claims that it was fueling instability in DR Congo. Kigali insists that the international community is ignoring the root causes of the conflict, including governance failures in DR Congo and long-standing ethnic tensions.
Rwanda’s foreign ministry issued a strongly worded statement rejecting the UK’s decision, accusing Britain of taking sides in the conflict. “The punitive measures announced by the UK 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 statement read.
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