France has condemned Rwanda’s involvement in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and expressed solidarity with the Congolese government, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced on Monday.
“France strongly condemns the offensive led by the M23, backed by the Rwandan armed forces, which has led to the death of six peacekeepers and the displacement of several thousand people. Fighting must stop, and dialogue must resume,” Barrot stated as he arrived at the Council of European Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels.
The situation in the DRC escalated on Sunday when Congolese rebels claimed they had captured Goma, the largest city in the country’s mineral-rich east. The rapid advance has displaced thousands and raised fears of a broader regional conflict.