The UK’s decision to suspend some help by Rwanda is “criminal”, authorities in the eastern African country said.
In a statement, the UK said it was against the support of Rwanda M23, a rebel group that captured parts of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in the deadly uprising.
Rwanda once denied the support of the M23, but recently adopted a defensive line, saying that the fight near the border between Dr. Congo and Rwanda was a threat to his safety.
More than 7,000 people have died, and hundreds of thousands have escaped from their homes since the conflict had been escalated in January, says Dr. Kongg.
In a statement on Tuesday night, the UK announced that the humanitarian situation in Dr. Congo was “critical” and that it would stop the bilateral help of Rwanda, “excluding support for the poorest and most vulnerable.”
Earlier this month, British Foreign Minister David Lammy said Rwanda received around £ 32 million ($ 40 million) each year from biotheral assistance in the UK.
In addition to the suspension of assistance, the UK will impose other measures, such as studying potential sanctions and suspension “future help training” in Rwanda, the statement said.
These measures will last until the “significant progress” is reached in the termination of hostilities and withdrawing the Rwanda military staff from Dr. Kong.
The UN experts have previously estimated that between 3,000 and 4,000 ruver Rwanda is in Eastern DR Congo.
The Rwande Foreign Ministry said that “criminal measures” announced by the Government of the UK in response to a conflict in Eastern DRC – where the UK has now obviously chosen the side – complain. “
“The measures do nothing to help the Democratic Republic of Congo, nor contribute to the achievement of a sustainable political solution to the conflict in the Eastern DrC.”
The UK has previously enjoyed good relations with Rwanda. In 2022, two countries signed a multi -million dollar contract in which some asylum seekers who arrive at British soil would be deported in Rwanda.
The agreement faced legal challenges and was abolished last year after a change in the Government of the UK.
Dr. Konga’s government led a campaign for international forces to suspend help and impose sanctions on Rwanda.
Last week, the US Ministry of Finance announced that he said sanctions on State Minister Rwanda for regional integration James Kabarebe.
He has now accused Kabareba, a former head of the army of being the central part of the support of Rwanda M23.
Lawrence Kanyuk, a spokesman for the M23, was also sanctioned, as well as two companies he controlled in France and the UK, the US Treasury announced.
Responding to the move now, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda said the sanctions were “unjustified”.
M23 says that he is fighting to achieve Better rights for TutsisEthnic minority group in Dr. Congo and bring an order to a failed state.
The rebels captured the two largest cities, Goma and the Bukava East Dr. Kong.
