Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Olivier Ndungirehe, met with U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Troy Fitrell, on February 12. The talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing the security situation in eastern DR Congo. They also discussed the results of the extraordinary joint EAC-SADC summit held in Tanzania on February 8.
The summit saw key decisions made to address the ongoing conflict in the region, including an immediate ceasefire in eastern DR Congo, direct negotiations between the Congolese government and the M23 rebels, and the neutralization of the FDLR militia. The FDLR is a group based in DR Congo, composed of remnants of those responsible for the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.
Minister @onduhungirehe held a productive call with Amb. Troy Fitrell, Acting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. Their discussion focused on further strengthening bilateral relations between Rwanda 🇷🇼 and the U.S 🇺🇸, the current situation in the Eastern DRC,… pic.twitter.com/kxBk4q81QD
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Int'l Cooperation (@RwandaMFA) February 12, 2025These discussions between Ndungirehe and Fitrell occurred shortly after the M23 rebels, part of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), warned of increasing military reinforcements by the Congolese army, backed by Burundian troops, in South Kivu. AFC spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka stated that these reinforcements could threaten ongoing peace efforts, particularly in the areas of Kalehe and Nyabibwe.
Kanyuka also condemned the Congolese army’s actions in Bukavu, where reports of killings and looting by military forces and allied militias have surfaced. The rebels warned they would take action to protect civilians if these abuses continued.
