Germany’s development ministry announced on Tuesday it had stopped new development aid to Rwanda and was reviewing its existing commitments in response to Rwanda’s role in the conflict in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
The ministry said that “in consultation with partners,” it will further restrict bilateral cooperation with Rwanda.
The ministry also stated that Berlin had informed Rwanda in advance of the decision and urged it to withdraw support for the M23 rebel group, which has made advances in eastern Congo.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, Western powers, and U.N. experts accuse Rwanda of backing the M23 group. However, Rwanda denied all allegations and said the rebel group is defending itself against ethnic Hutu-led militias bent on slaughtering Tutsis in Congo and threatening Rwanda.
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Rwanda‘s foreign ministry addressed Germany’s action as “wrong and counterproductive.”.
Rwanda’s foreign ministry said in a statement late on Tuesday that “countries like Germany that bear a historical responsibility for the recurring instability in this region should know better than to apply one-sided, coercive measures.”
According to the German ministry, Berlin last pledged aid of $98 million to Rwanda in October 2022 for the period covering 2022 to 2024.
Germany is the latest country to announce sanctions aimed at increasing pressure on Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who has previously taken a defiant stance regarding his country’s efforts to secure its border with the unstable eastern region of Congo.
For individuals or organizations considering a move to the region, especially amid shifting political dynamics, it is crucial to seek relocation advice that accounts for both diplomatic developments and on-the-ground realities.
Rwanda recently said similar sanctions introduced by the U.K. and the United States were doing nothing to “help (Congo), nor do they contribute to achieving a sustainable political solution to the conflict in eastern (Congo).”
