Rwanda has accused the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of planning a major assault on its territory, rejecting claims that Kigali is fueling the conflict in eastern Congo, where Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have seized control of Goma.
Speaking at an emergency session of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, Rwanda’s ambassador, James Ngango, said his country had uncovered evidence of an imminent attack coordinated by Kinshasa and its allies.
“We categorically oppose the DRC’s attempts to portray Rwanda as responsible for its instability in eastern Congo,” Ngango stated. “What is clear, however, is the imminent threat the current situation poses to Rwanda.”
He claimed that arms, including rockets, kamikaze drones, and heavy artillery, had been stockpiled in and around Goma’s airport, not for use against M23 rebels, but “pointed directly at Rwanda.” Ngango did not clarify whether the threat remained active following M23’s recent advances and declined to provide further details.
In response, Congo’s Minister of Foreign Trade, Julien Paluku, dismissed the allegations, calling them part of “Rwanda’s empire of lies.”
“These are speeches intended to attract attention, when it’s them who are committing serious human rights violations,” Paluku told Reuters.
The latest escalation comes as fighting in eastern Congo has left thousands dead and displaced hundreds of thousands, further deepening tensions between the two countries.