Rwanda strongly criticized Canada’s stance on the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday, calling Ottawa’s position “shameful” and arguing that the measures announced against Kigali would not help resolve the crisis.
Late on Monday, Canada suspended the issuance of export permits for controlled goods and technologies to Rwanda. It also halted new government-to-government trade missions and business development support for Rwanda’s private sector. Additionally, Ottawa announced a review of Canadian government participation in future international events hosted by Rwanda.
Canada joins a growing list of Western nations taking action against Kigali. The European Union and the United Kingdom have already suspended bilateral aid to Rwanda, while the United States has imposed sanctions on James Kabarebe, a Rwandan state minister for foreign affairs.
The dispute is rooted in Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebel group, which seized the city of Goma in late January and has since advanced further into eastern Congo, gaining access to valuable mineral resources. The current escalation, which began in December, is the most serious in years, stemming from the legacy of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the ongoing struggle for control over Congo’s vast natural wealth.
Congo, the United Nations, and Western nations accuse Rwanda of backing M23, a claim Kigali denies. Rwanda insists that it is defending itself against ethnic Hutu-led militias in Congo, which it says pose a threat to Tutsis and Rwandan security.
On Monday, Canada’s ministers of Foreign Affairs, International Development, and Export Promotion reiterated the accusations against Rwanda while announcing the new restrictions. However, Kigali maintains that such measures will not contribute to resolving the long-standing crisis in the region.
