DRC’s Diplomatic Stand: Rwanda Must Be Held Accountable

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner calls for EU sanctions and genuine accountability over continued M23 violence despite peace agreements during her DW Afrique interview from the EU-Africa Summit in Luanda

Despite the DRC's sincere commitment to peace, violence in the east persists. From Luanda, Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner expressed deep frustration at the continued attacks by the M23 rebel group, despite a framework agreement already signed between Kinshasa and the rebels.

“We entered negotiations with good faith to restore state authority. But while M23 shows a cooperative face internationally, on the ground, they are still expanding their grip and committing violence. This duplicity is intolerable.”

“We know who backs M23, and it’s Rwanda.”

In a bold and clear statement, Wagner removed any ambiguity:

“Let’s be clear: M23 is backed by Rwanda. That’s not speculation; multiple UN independent reports confirm it. It’s Rwanda. Period.”

The DRC’s message to its international partners is unambiguous: political dialogue cannot replace accountability. Kinshasa insists that all parties involved must be held responsible, not later, not after the fact, but now.

A Call to Europe: “Stop hiding behind complexity.”

Wagner sharply criticised the European Union’s slow response:

“The EU has imposed 27 sanctions packages on Russia. Yet when it comes to Congo, the response is timid. We’re told the consensus is hard to reach among 27 member states. But when lives are at stake, when territorial integrity is being violated, there is no room for delay or double standards.”