Rwanda has renewed its call for the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to address what it describes as the real drivers of the ongoing crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) — including the continued impunity of the FDLR militia and the spread of genocidal ideology.
Speaking on October 7 during a UNHRC session discussing a draft resolution on the human rights situation in eastern DR Congo, Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa, called for stronger international accountability measures and a shift in focus toward root causes of the conflict.
FDLR and Genocide Legacy
Ambassador Bakuramutsa highlighted the role of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) — a militia formed by remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi — as central to the instability in eastern Congo.
“This vicious militia, composed of remnants of the ex-FAR/Interahamwe… continues to spread hate, armed violence, and genocidal ideology throughout the region,” she said.
She criticized the Congolese government’s alleged support for the FDLR, a group sanctioned by the UN, and urged the Council to explicitly condemn Kinshasa’s collaboration with not only the FDLR but also the Wazalendo militia, which she said continues to receive military and financial support from the Congolese state.
Call for a Stronger UN Response
Bakuramutsa told the Council that simply blaming Rwanda for the crisis while ignoring the presence and actions of over 260 armed groups in eastern DR Congo, including FDLR and Wazalendo, perpetuates the conflict.
“Today, the Council missed a critical opportunity to advance accountability and uphold human rights in DR Congo,” she said, adding that repeating “accusatory narratives” against Rwanda without addressing these realities is counterproductive.
She warned that failing to confront impunity would lead to continued cycles of violence, undermining regional peace efforts.
Protection of Civilians and Children
The Rwandan envoy also called for concrete provisions in the draft resolution to:
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Protect children from recruitment into armed groups
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Combat hate speech and incitement, particularly rhetoric targeting the Congolese Tutsi and Banyamulenge communities
She said such measures are essential to stopping ethnic targeting and addressing the underlying ideology fueling the conflict.
Rwanda’s Position
Bakuramutsa reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to constructive engagement and efforts to restore peace, accountability, and civilian protection across the Great Lakes region. She emphasized the need for impartiality within the UN system and called out what she described as attempts to politicize the Council’s work.
“Lasting peace in eastern DR Congo will only be achieved through genuine accountability and by addressing the root causes of the conflict,” she stated.
As violence and displacement continue to rise in eastern DR Congo, Rwanda’s latest statement signals growing frustration with international narratives that focus on Kigali’s alleged involvement while, in its view, failing to confront the role of domestic and regional militias and historic grievances.
