Kagame thanks Trump for not ignoring DRC conflict

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Rwandan President Paul Kagame has expressed gratitude to the administration of US President Donald Trump for not ignoring the devastating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as many others have done.

“I thank them that they even paid attention to the problem at all. They could have ignored that problem like many have, and just focused on what is happening in the Middle East, in Ukraine, Russia, Iran. Those are, in people’s minds, more important than having to deal with this East African problem,” Kagame said.

He made the remarks on Friday (July 4) while speaking to journalists in Kigali during the 31st anniversary of Liberation Day, known locally as Kwibohora.

While sharing his assessment of the recent US-brokered peace deal with the DRC, Kagame noted that, unlike others, the Trump administration had tackled the three main issues of the conflict—economic, security, and political.

He emphasised that these are the pillars on which the deal is built and are deeply interconnected.

“So, for me I think there is a chance that we may get somewhere with that (deal)… and by the way, even if it doesn’t work, I don’t think they should be the ones to blame, because in the end, they are not the ones to implement what we have agreed. It is our task in the region to implement that; DRC and Rwanda to implement their part of the bargain in the agreement,” he said.

Kagame also stressed Rwanda’s consistency and reliability in honouring its commitments.

“You will never find Rwanda at fault with implementing what they have agreed to do. But if the side we are working with plays tricks and takes us back to the problem, then we’ll deal with the problem like we have been dealing with it. There are no two ways about it, but we are serious, honest and look forward to implementing what we agreed to do and to eliminate the problem,” he stated.

About the deal

On June 27, the governments of Rwanda and the DRC signed a peace agreement in Washington aimed at ending decades of conflict—an accord analysts say may also secure the US access to valuable mineral resources.

The agreement calls for the “disengagement, disarmament and conditional integration” of armed groups operating in eastern DRC.

The conflict escalated earlier this year when M23 rebels seized control of large areas in eastern DRC, including the regional capital Goma, the city of Bukavu, and two airports.

Thousands of people were killed, and hundreds of thousands displaced from their homes during the recent rebel offensive, according to the BBC.

Following the loss of territory, the DRC government sought assistance from the US, reportedly offering access to critical minerals in exchange for security guarantees. Eastern DRC is rich in coltan and other resources essential to global electronics industries.