DRC conflict: Canada slaps sanctions on Rwanda
The Global Affairs Canada media office says as a result of Rwanda’s actions in the eastern DRC the Canadian government has suspended the issuance of permits for the export of controlled goods and technologies to Rwanda.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (C) walks with Mary Ng (R), Canada's minister of export promotion, international trade and economic development, at the 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits in Vientiane on October 10, 2024. (Credit: AFP)
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Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly speaks on the panel during the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, southern Germany on February 15, 2025. (Credit: AFP) Canada's minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen and Colombian Vice-president Francia Marquez (Out of Frame) during a press conference in Bogota, Colombia announcing agreements between the two countries, on August 28, 2023. (Credit: AFP)
Canada says it is slapping a raft of sanctions on Rwanda over its alleged involvement in the instability in eastern DR Congo.
The Global Affairs Canada media office says as a result of Rwanda’s actions in the eastern DRC the Canadian government has suspended the issuance of permits for the export of controlled goods and technologies to Rwanda.
The Canadian government has also suspended new government-to-government business pursuits with Rwanda, as well as proactive support to private-sector business development activities, including trade missions.
It says it is also reviewing Government of Canada participation at international events hosted in Rwanda, as well as Rwandan proposals to host any future events.
These revelations are contained in a March 3, 2025, statement by three Canadian cabinet ministers: Mélanie Joly for foreign affairs, Ahmed Hussen of international development and Mary Ng of export promotion.
Eastern DRC has over the last two months seen an escalation in fighting between government forces and M23 rebels, who are allegedly being supported by Rwandan forces totalling 4,000. The weeks-long advance in a region rich in mineral resources but blighted by various conflicts over the past 30 years, has seen the M23 gain a significant foothold.
M23 fighters took control of South Kivu provincial capital Bukavu just over a week ago, after capturing Goma, the capital of North Kivu and main city in the country's east, late last month.
More than 400,000 Congolese, mainly women and children, have arrived in neighbouring Burundi since February for international protection, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reported last week. In North Kivu, over 500,000 people were forced to flee their homes in January alone.
According to DRC government tally, the war has claimed "more than 7,000" people since January, when the M23 group seized two major cities.
M23 seizure condemned
Canada also condemned ‘in the strongest possible terms’ the M23 rebels’ seizure of territory in the eastern DRC, including Goma and Bukavu: “We also condemn the presence of the Rwanda Defence Force in the DRC and its support for the M23, which constitute flagrant violations of the DRC’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and of the United Nations Charter”.
The government of Canada urged all parties to exercise restraint, engage in meaningful dialogue and commit to peaceful solutions to prevent further destabilisation, according to the statement.
Canada also denounced what it called the widespread atrocities in eastern DRC, ‘including allegations of unlawful attacks on civilians, internally displaced persons, humanitarian actors and both UN and regional peacekeepers, as well as massacres and kidnappings’.
“We are particularly concerned by reports of conflict-related sexual violence against women and girls. These acts are heinous and contrary to obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Canada continues to support the International Criminal Court and recognises its importance in providing accountability and justice to victims, including in its eastern DRC investigation,” the statement reads.
Peace efforts welcomed
Canada also welcomed efforts of countries in the region, as well as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community (EAC) and the African Union (AU) to find a peaceful path forward.
Three former African heads of state were last week appointed as facilitators of the latest regional mediation mechanism brokered by two regional blocs over the security crisis in eastern DRC.
EAC and SADC jointly announced that they designated former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn as the facilitators of their joint peace process in the DRC.
“We urge all stakeholders to demonstrate political will to find peace, honour their commitments under the Luanda and Nairobi processes and collaborate to address humanitarian needs and the underlying causes of this conflict,” the ministers said.
Rwanda high commissioner summoned
The Global Affairs Canada office also summoned the Rwandan High Commissioner in Canada to convey Canada’s stance against ‘Rwanda’s clear violation of DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to inform Rwanda of these measures’, according to the statement.
Sh38b aid
The Canadian government also announced $15m (about shillings 38 billion) for lifesaving assistance in DRC.
“The humanitarian situation in eastern DRC is critical and Canada remains committed to ensuring the most vulnerable are reached with lifesaving assistance,” the statement reads.
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