Wellars Gasamagera, Secretary General of the RPF, urged DR Congo to end ties with the FDLR militia to promote lasting peace in the region. He criticized plans to attack Rwanda and highlighted the need for dialogue to resolve the conflict with M23 rebels. Furthermore, he condemned the misrepresentation of the crisis’s root causes and dismissed sanctions against Rwanda as counterproductive.
Wellars Gasamagera, the Secretary General of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), called upon the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) to terminate its affiliation with the FDLR militia. He emphasized that any commitment to lasting peace necessitates the cessation of collaboration with this group, which poses a direct threat to Rwanda’s security. His remarks were made on February 25 during a National Consultative Forum focused on the region’s security and the ongoing crisis in eastern DR Congo.
Gasamagera expressed serious concerns regarding President Felix Tshisekedi’s intentions to attack Rwanda. He asserted, “Congo must abandon its plan to overthrow Rwanda’s leadership, which was democratically elected by its citizens.” He underscored the urgent need for DR Congo to sever its relations with the FDLR, stating that peace can only be achieved when the militia ceases its operations within the country’s borders.
The RPF leader advocated for a resolution to the conflict involving M23 rebels through constructive dialogue to address the underlying grievances rather than military action. Gasamagera remarked, “True peace comes through dialogue and peaceful efforts.” His address was part of a significant gathering of Rwanda’s political parties aimed at fostering collaboration and unified response to regional threats.
Gasamagera praised President Paul Kagame for his commitment to ensuring regional security through peaceful initiatives and necessary defensive strategies to protect Rwanda. His message resonated with the gathered political factions urging collective support to maintain national security amidst escalating tensions with DR Congo.
He criticized both the Congolese government and the international community for misconstruing the crises’ origins, suggesting that a disproportionate focus on natural resources and sovereignty fails to recognize deeper historical grievances. “The crisis in DR Congo is rooted in historical facts, ethnic violence, and failed governance,” Gasamagera explained, pointing out that these matters are intrinsically Congolese and unrelated to Rwanda.
Additionally, Gasamagera dismissed the sanctions imposed on Rwanda due to alleged support for M23 rebels, calling them ineffective and counterproductive. He argued, “Sanctions have not solved anything,” indicating that such measures allow DR Congo to shift blame for its governance challenges onto external actors rather than addressing root problems.
In summary, Wellars Gasamagera’s statements highlight the necessity for DR Congo to cut ties with the FDLR militia and focus on peaceful resolutions to the crisis with M23 rebels. The emphasis on dialogue over military action is critical for achieving stability in the region. Furthermore, recognizing the root causes of the crisis and addressing internal governance failures is paramount for lasting peace.
Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw
