The United States maintained Monday, May 6, its accusations that Rwanda was behind a deadly bombing that hit a camp for displaced people in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Friday, and demanded that those responsible are brought to justice.
At least nine people were killed and dozens injured on Friday in a bombing that hit a camp for displaced people on the outskirts of Goma, where fighting pits government forces against the M23 rebel movement, supported by Rwanda.
Rwanda reacted to the accusation on Saturday, calling it “ridiculous” and “absurd.” Asked whether the United States stood by its accusation, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said: “Absolutely. » “The government of Rwanda must investigate this heinous act and hold all those responsible to account. This is what we made him understand,” he told the press.
The United States has long asserted, like Kinshasa, that the M23 rebellion is supported by Rwanda. But Washington’s accusation of direct involvement by Kigali is unusual.
For its part, Rwanda is demanding action against Hutu fighters who have taken refuge in the DRC, suspected of being linked to the perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide which mainly targeted the Tutsi thirty years ago.
The United States has repeatedly attempted to mediate between the two sides. The director of American national intelligence, Avril Haines, visited the DRC and Rwanda in November 2023. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Rwandan President Paul Kagame in January.
