Kagame Wants Constant Regional Collaboration In Fight Against Insecurity In Eastern DR Congo

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has said the fight against insecurity in the Great Lakes Region and especially the eastern DR Congo necessitates constant collaboration.

Speaking on Monday, April 11, in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of Congo, where he is on a three-day official visit, President Kagame declared that “Within our Great Lakes Region, some pockets of insecurity persist” adding that “the fight against armed groups in the eastern DR Congo in particular, necessitates constant regional collaboration.”

The eastern DR Congo which borders Rwanda, has been in the grip of violence by armed groups for the past 25 years.

The area has recently seen an increase in tensions occasioned by the March 23 (M23) rebel movement, which the DR Congo army, FARDC, recently accused Rwanda of supporting. Rwanda has denied the accusation.

President Kagame, whose speech centred on security, sub-regional integration and African unity, affirmed that 5,000 Rwandan troops were deployed in the African continent and especially in the Central African Republic and South Sudan where they intervene as part of the United Nations peacekeeping missions.

“There are today, many conflicts which last for decades in the continent. What explains this situation is our inaction. It is time to reshuffle the cards,” he said.

According to the Rwandan president, the African continent has so much resources and know-how, noting that there are  “no reasons which justify our present state”.

It is expected that during this three-day visit to the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), cooperation accords would be signed between President Kagame and President Denis Sassou N’Guesso of the Congo.

The two heads of state are expected to later travel to Oyo in the north of the country, which is President N’Guesso’s political fief to visit some farms.