Rwanda: MONUSCO accused of violating its mandate

Rwanda’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ernest Rwamucyo, has accused the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) of violating its mandate by providing support to the FDLR in their operations.

During the extraordinary meeting of the United Nations Security Council held this Sunday, January 26, 2025, Ernest Rwamucyo showed the concerns of the Rwandan government regarding the role played by MONUSCO in the East of the DRC.

Rwamucyo pointed the finger at MONUSCO accusing it of violating its mandate which is peacekeeping and protection of civilians. He said that during operations, the forces of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), provide support to the coalition composed of armed groups such as FDLR and Wazalendo.

MONUSCO should focus its resources on protecting civilians,

“MONUSCO’s operations provide support to the FDLR in violation of the 1989 United Nations Convention. This is unacceptable and MONUSCO risks becoming a belligerent force in this conflict. MONUSCO should focus its resources on protecting civilians, particularly those in displaced persons camps, instead of fighting alongside this coalition composed of the FDLR,” Rwamucyo deplored.

“This is a very clear mandate, and this mandate cannot be changed, especially since some of these forces, Wazalendo and FDLR, have committed enormous atrocities in the east of the DRC,” he added.

Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ernest Rwamucyo, also stressed that MONUSCO’s support for the DRC Armed Forces and the FDLR constitutes a serious threat to Rwanda. He was referring to the recent statement by DRC President Felix Tshisekedi. The latter said he will lead a fight for regime change in Rwanda.

“A head of state declaring regime change in another country is not something to be taken lightly. This rhetoric, coupled with the significant military presence of the coalition along the Rwandan border, is destabilizing and unacceptable,” Rwamucyo said.

The international community has its share of responsibility in this crisis by being completely insensitive to the root causes of the problem. Rwamucyo

He took this opportunity to display the Rwandan government’s disappointment with the attitude of the international community in the conflict in eastern DRC. Ernest Rwamucyo explained that the international community has its share of responsibility in this crisis by being completely insensitive to the root causes of the problem. He strongly criticized the international community for allowing MONUSCO forces to operate completely outside their mandate.

Rwanda’s permanent representative to the United Nations also criticised the behaviour of the United Nations for condemning the M23 instead of denouncing the FARDC and its coalition for violating the ceasefire.

Rwanda regrets that the international community condemned the M23 for expanding its territories without condemning the FARDC and its coalition for violating the ceasefire

“Unfortunately, we regret that the international community has chosen to condemn the M23 for expanding its territories without condemning the FARDC and its coalition for violating the ceasefire. It was concluded between all parties, who should therefore have respected it,” Rwamucyo lamented.

This statement by the Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations comes after the capture of the city of Goma by the M23. On Monday, January 27, the M23 announced in a statement the takeover of the city of Goma, announcing the end of the ultimatum granted to the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and the suspension of lake activities. The M23 called on residents to remain calm, assuring that the situation is under control.