There are regional issues with challenges and opportunities, some of which will be there for some time. These issues end up being international.
They are complicated even further by international actors. This is the situation we have in the Congo.
Looking at it superficially, as some have, it is easy to apportion the blame; indeed, put the blame on Rwanda’s shoulders. But this problem has not been caused nor abetted by Rwanda.
In the past three to four years, no one has worked as hard as Rwanda for peace in both our country and our neighbours. The recent problem was created by the international community – our partners.
They don’t listen, nor provide the solution, they just keep creating problems. We know our problems and those of the region better than they do; we are genuine about wanting to find a solution.
They will come, run over everything and when things explode, turn around and blame it on you.
The Democratic Republic of Congo had elections. We tried to play a very positive role with the government in Congo despite its many problems.
We worked together on security challenges that have affected us for the past 18 years.
Some people are not happy about that so they come up with the idea to have certain people arrested in the Congo for justice, for accountability, which is good if only it wasn’t selective.
They came to us and said, “You know what, we want to arrest some people in Congo and we want you to help arrest these people.”
Go ahead and arrest them, why do you even come to us? They said, “No, we want you to help the government of DRC arrest so and so.”
First Publsished in Africa Review
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