The United Kingdom supports the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes aimed at helping end the violence in eastern DR Congo, Alison Thorpe, the new British High Commissioner to Rwanda, said on Wednesday, October 2.
Her comments came barely three days after Ernest Rwamucyo, Rwanda's Permanent Representative to the UN, told the Security Council on Monday, September 30, that DR Congo should end its support to a militia linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. According to Kigali, the Congolese army’s integration and support of the FDLR genocidal militia "is not just a breach of trust but a direct threat to the security of Rwanda and the entire region.”
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During a press conference at the British High Commission in Kigali, the British envoy told reporters that prior to becoming the High Commissioner in Kigali, she was the UK Special Envoy for the Great Lakes, and spent the last two years, looking at the regional situation.
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She said: "I think what is clear to me is that this whole region will benefit from peace and security. If we could have peace and security and stability, inter-regional trade, this region could absolutely be the engine of growth for the whole continent. And for that reason, the UK really supports the regional peace processes that are ongoing, the efforts of President [João] Lourenço and the Luanda process, the Nairobi process, if that is indeed revitalised, and we're ready to support in whatever way we can.”
"The situation is tense. I have to say, I would like it to be less so, and we are doing with international partners, whatever we can to try and bring an end to the conflict and create long-term peace and stability. And I think one of the ways of doing that actually is by showing the people of this region just how economically lucrative it is, if you like, to have peace and stability. Conflict costs money and brings endless suffering to people on all sides of the border. So, focusing on the long-term prize of peace, stability, and economic growth, I think, is the way we need to approach the regional tensions.”
The Nairobi and Luanda peace processes were established in 2022 to help restore peace in eastern DR Congo, where more than 200 local and foreign armed groups roam.
The Nairobi and Luanda processes are regional initiatives under the auspices of the EAC and the ICGLR. The EAC-led Nairobi Process aimed to mediate a resolution between the DR Congo government and various armed groups active in the east of the country, while the Luanda Process seeks to address the inter-state dimension of the crises in eastern DR Congo through dialogue between Kinshasa and Kigali. Angola is mediating the Luanda process.
Kinshasa accuses Kigali of supporting the M23 - an accusation that the former has denied.
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Rwanda has long accused the Congolese government of collaborating with the FDLR, a militia group formed by remnants of the forces that carried out the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The genocidal militia which is based in eastern DR Congo has continued to receive arms, training, and financial support from the Congolese military, thereby, according to Kigali, putting hopes for lasting regional security at stake.
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A proposed neutralisation plan for FDLR, which was developed by intelligence officials from DR Congo, Rwanda and Angola, hit a snag in mid-September when Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba declined to sign the final agreement, despite its endorsement by her counterparts from Rwanda and Angola.
The plan, which was initially developed by the Congolese government, would lead to the dismantling of the militia.
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In addition to military support, Rwamucyo condemned the rising tide of hate speech and ethnic violence against Congolese Tutsi communities.
"We are witnessing a dangerous resurgence of hate speech and violence, targeting individuals simply because of who they are. This is a violation of human rights and must be addressed urgently if we are to build lasting peace," he said.
The envoy also stressed the importance of ensuring the safe and dignified return of Congolese refugees, who are in neighbouring countries.
Rwanda hosts about 100,000 Congolese refugees, some of whom have spent more than 25 years in refugee camps.