DRC accuses Rwanda of «blackmail» and using refugee crisis for «political ends»
More than 70,000 Congolese have crossed the border into Rwanda fleeing the conflict between government forces and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, according to the international community.
Story by Daniel Stewart
The authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have accused the Rwandan government of “blackmailing” the international community and using the refugee crisis for “political purposes.”
The Congolese government spokesman, Patrick Muyaya, has thus lashed out against the words of the Rwandan president, Paul Kagame, considering that “Human Rights have no value for him” after Kigali announced that it will not take in any more refugees from the DRC in response to Kinshasa’s accusations of alleged Rwandan support for the armed group M23.
Thus, he indicated that even Kagame has tried to “withdraw his own words” on this matter since “he has revealed his true intentions”, as reported by Radio Okapi.
More than 70,000 Congolese have crossed the border into Rwanda fleeing the conflict between government forces and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, according to the international community. However, Kigali continues to deny these allegations.
For the NGO Human Rights Watch (RHW), Kagame’s statements illustrate a “politicization of refugee rights by the Rwandan government.” “Kagame’s latest attacks on human rights, this time on those of refugees, add to the list of evidence that Rwanda is not a reliable international partner,” the organization said.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
File – Rwandan President Paul Kagame in a file photo. – Pascal Bitz/World Economic Forum / DPA© Provided by News 360