FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jonathan Hutson, jhutson@enoughproject.org, +1-202-386-1618
WASHINGTON – Evidence of Rwandan support to the M23 rebellion in eastern Congo continues to surface while the release of the results of a recent investigation conducted by the U.N. Group of Experts on Congo linking Rwanda to the rebellion is being held up by wrangling within the U.N. Security Council. A new Enough Project report released today calls on the U.S. to ensure that the recent investigation into these allegations conducted by the Group of Experts is published in full and the implications for U.S. policy—including U.S. aid—fully examined.
The Enough Project report, “Rwanda’s Long Shadow: U.S.-Rwandan Relations and a Path Forward in Eastern Congo,” seeks to broadly contextualize Rwandan involvement in eastern Congo and the implications for U.S. policy in the region.
The Enough Project calls on the U.S. and U.N. Security Council to ensure that the Group of Experts report is published immediately to help ascertain the extent of the government of Rwanda's involvement in the M23 rebellion in eastern Congo led by international war criminal Bosco Ntaganda. The government of Rwanda has a history of negatively intervening in eastern Congo, and will continue to do so to protect its own economic and security interests if action is not taken.
“As a partner for peace in the Great Lakes Region, it is imperative that the U.S. be a leader in addressing the allegations leveled against Rwanda,” said Aaron Hall, author of the report and Associate Director of Research at the Enough Project. “The ongoing environment of impunity and humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo demand that the Security Council takes full consideration of all available information. The role of Rwandan intervention can no longer be dismissed or discussed with vagaries. There must be accountability.”
Thus far, the government of Rwanda has intervened in Congolese affairs with little to no repercussion and resulting in further instability. It is time for the U.S. and the international community to send Rwanda a clear message that violating international law and breaching Congolese national sovereignty is no longer acceptable.
Sasha Lezhnev, Enough Project Senior Policy Analyst, said, “Given the seriousness of the allegations that Rwanda has been supporting one of the main rebellions causing this violence in Congo, the M23, any and all evidence must be brought to light immediately. The U.S., U.K. and other Security Council members should give robust, high-level support and further staff to the U.N. Group of Experts’ critical investigation."
Read the full report: “Rwanda’s Long Shadow: U.S.-Rwandan Relations and a Path Forward in Eastern Congo”
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Enough is a project of the Center for American Progress to end genocide and crimes against humanity. Founded in 2007, the Enough Project focuses on crises in Sudan, eastern Congo, and areas of Africa affected by the Lord’s Resistance Army. Enough’s strategy papers and briefings provide sharp field analysis and targeted policy recommendations based on a “3P” crisis response strategy: promoting durable peace, providing civilian protection, and punishing perpetrators of atrocities. Enough works with concerned citizens, advocates, and policy makers to prevent, mitigate, and resolve these crises. For more information, please visit www.enoughproject.org.
