Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, April 30, urged Rwanda to “cease all support” to the Congolese rebels of the March 23 Movement (M23) in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and to “withdraw its forces” from the country . “France will never compromise on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he declared during a joint press conference with his Congolese counterpart, Félix Tshisekedi, visiting Paris.
The French head of state spoke of a “commitment” from the Congolese president to “put an end to the actions of the [Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, FDLR]”, Rwandan Hutu rebels whose presence for thirty years in the east of the DRC is denounced by Rwanda.
“We are with several other allies at your side, as you know, to implement this progress,” added Emmanuel Macron. This commitment has “value towards the Rwandans, whom I am strong in convincing of a parallel withdrawal of their forces, who have nothing to do on Congolese soil”, stated the president of the Republic by pledging to call Rwandan President Paul Kagame “in the coming days”. “If we manage to restart such a process, trust is created,” he said.
“Glimmer of hope on the horizon”
Emmanuel Macron spoke of a sequencing therefore comprising “disarmament and supervision” of the FDLR on the one hand “and withdrawal of the Rwandan forces which are on Congolese soil” on the other hand, “then disarmament of the M23 and support process”. Welcoming the Angolan mediation, the French president said he hoped “that by the end of the summer we can have fully conclusive initiatives to get out of the situation that you have known for too long.” Mr. Macron, however, did not clearly mention sanctions against Rwanda, sanctions demanded by the DRC.
In return, Félix Tshisekedi paid tribute to French support. “What caught our attention the most” during this meeting in Paris was “the even greater commitment of France alongside the Congolese people” to find a solution to the conflict ravaging eastern DRC , he said. He estimated that his country could “count on France, which will be at [his] side to find” peace, adding that a “glimmer of hope is on the horizon”. Mr. Tshisekedi, however, clarified that it “will only be possible to discuss” with Rwanda once its army “has left” the DRC.
