3 July 2012

U.S. requests Rwanda to stop aiding Congolese rebels

The United States have asked Rwanda to stop arming or otherwise supporting armed rebels in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, including the M23 led by Bosco Ntaganda, who is wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court. The request follows a UN report released on 29 June, which raised the allegations of aid and assistance provided by Rwanda.

Source: The Wall Street Journal | U.N. Report Fuels Congo-Rwanda Rift
Source: Reuters | U.S. tells Rwanda to halt support for Congo rebels

6 June 2012

Rwandan military officials allegedly support mutiny in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

Rwandan military officials have recruited hundreds of men (and children) and sent them to support general Bosco Ntaganda, who is wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC), in his mutiny against the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A report issued by Human Rights Watch reveals that, besides sending fighters, Rwanda is also providing weapons and ammunition, and has allowed general Ntaganda to enter Rwanda.

Source: Rwandan military 'aiding war crimes suspect' in Congo

13 April 2012

President Obama Recalls ‘Shared Responsibility’ of States to Protect Civilians and Prevent Genocide

On April 06, 2012, on the 18th Anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda, the President of the U.S. Barack Obama issued a statement in which he refers to the ‘haunting’ memory of the extermination of about 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus. He further mentions a shared responsibility of all States to protect populations and to prevent the occurrence of genocide. More specifically, he affirms that the anniversary of the Rwandan genocide ‘reminds the nations of the world of our shared responsibility to do all we can to protect civilians and to ensure that evil of this magnitude never happens again’.

Source: The White House | Statement by the President on the 18th Anniversary of the Genocide in Rwanda