Rwandan President Paul Kagame said Friday he is uncertain a U.S-mediated accord with the Democratic Republic of Congo will endure and warned Kigali will “deal with the problem” if Kinshasa reneges on its commitments.
Signed last week, the deal requires Rwandan forces to pull out of eastern Congo within 90 days. U.N. investigators say those troops have aided M23 rebels who captured the region’s two largest cities earlier this year. Rwanda denies supporting the insurgents, insisting its deployment targets Congo’s army and FDLR fighters—Hutu militants linked to the 1994 genocide.
“We are ready to implement the agreement, but if our partners play tricks and drag us back to square one, we’ll respond as we always have,” Kagame told reporters in Kigali.
He thanked the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump for brokering the talks but added, “If it collapses, they’re not to blame.”
Kinshasa, which frequently accuses Rwanda of aggression, did not immediately comment.
Kagame’s appearance was his first since 6 June, a hiatus that fueled health-related speculation among exiled critics. Asked about the rumors, he quipped: “Some of my health problems might come from managing you people,” drawing laughter.
Meanwhile, both Congo’s government and M23 rebels said Thursday they will dispatch delegations to Qatar for parallel negotiations. Washington has hinted at a separate investment package to spur cooperation on regional mineral supply chains—including tantalum, gold and copper—if a lasting peace is reached.