Macron Calls on Rwanda to End Support for M23 Rebels in DR Congo

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for Rwanda to end its support for the M23 rebel group and remove its troops from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). During a joint press conference with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi in Paris on April 30, 2024, Macron emphasized France's commitment to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the DRC, drawing parallels to the situation in Europe following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Macron stated, "Rwanda must halt its support for M23 and remove its forces from Congolese territory," insisting that France will never compromise on the DRC's territorial integrity. He announced plans to hold talks with Rwandan President Paul Kagame to address the matter. Tshisekedi welcomed France's "even stronger support" and expressed openness to dialogue with Rwanda once its troops have been removed from Congolese territory.

The M23 rebellion, which is mostly composed of Tutsi fighters, had been dormant for eight years but took up arms again in late 2021, capturing large areas of North Kivu province. The DRC, the United Nations, and Western countries have accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels, which Tshisekedi described as an "empty shell" used by Kigali to threaten the DRC. Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has denied the allegations but expressed sympathy for the M23 and accused the DRC of supporting a Hutu militia hostile to Kigali.

Why this matters: The conflict in eastern DRC has resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of people, with the UN estimating that nearly 7 million people were displaced in the DRC, including 2.5 million in North Kivu province alone. Macron's call for action underscores the urgency of addressing the crisis and highlights the delicate balance of relations between France, DR Congo, and Rwanda.

During the press conference, Macron also acknowledged the DRC's efforts to address the activities of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed ethnic Hutu group operating in eastern Congo. Tensions between France and some African countries have escalated in recent years, with Burkina Faso and Niger taking steps to reduce military cooperation with France.

Key Takeaways

• Macron calls on Rwanda to halt support for M23 rebels, withdraw troops from DRC.
• Tshisekedi welcomes France's support and openness to dialogue with Rwanda.
• M23 rebellion resurged in 2021, displacing millions in eastern DRC.
• DRC accuses Rwanda of backing M23, while Rwanda denies allegations.
• Tensions between France and some African countries over military cooperation.