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5 Some combatants of the genocidal FDLR group, who were captured by M23 rebels, fighting alongside the DR Congo armed forces in the east of the country last year. (Courtesy Photo)

Kagame Speaks Out on UN Group of Experts Report on DR Congo

Rwanda President Paul Kagame has said that the recent report by the United Nations Group of Experts on DR Congo failed to detail the causes of insecurities in the country’s east, which is home to more than 130 local and foreign armed groups, The New Times, Rwanda’s largest daily newspaper, reported on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

In an interview with the national broadcaster aired on Tuesday, July 4, Kagame said the report, which accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group and causing insecurity in eastern DR Congo, is similar to previous reports that failed to address the real issues in the Great Lakes Region and suggest possible solutions.

“There are just reports coming up, and when you look at it – and you’ve lived in this region and know what has happened and what is happening – sometimes you wonder what the exercise is all about,” he said.

“Is it really aimed at resolving problems? Do they present facts of the situation to help people to do the right thing to resolve the problems obtaining and move on to other things?” he wondered. “Or are they just aimed at sanitizing the involvement, the names of many perpetrators and really keeping the status quo, so that in the end there is money flowing into the situation and out and people living off it, and countries using it to manage other countries?”

Speaking of thousands of Congolese refugees who have lived in Rwanda for decades and others that recently fled to the country due to persecution and hate speech in DR Congo, Kagame said, “These reports always fall short of addressing even the understanding of this problem, let alone providing possible solutions.”

The UN experts did not visit Rwanda to talk to people who fled from DR Congo.

“They’ve never done that. Why do you think any expert who’s supposed to be taken seriously, and therefore the report they write, would not have done that? It shows something, maybe akin to bias of some sort.”

He said the Group of Experts maintains a narrative that was set close to 30 years ago around the story of 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. WI

UN Secretary General Appeals for Help for Haiti

“Help for Haiti.” That was the appeal on Monday, July 3, from the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, which was immediately answered with a firm promise from incoming CARICOM Chairman Roosevelt Skerrit that CARICOM will stand with Haiti with increased support.

“And I say to our brother–Prime Minister of Haiti (Ariel Henry)–you will see even increased support for the Haitian people as we seek to find a solution to your challenges,” Dominica’s Prime Minister Skerrit added as he addressed the audience at the Hyatt Regency.. Henry was among the leaders present.

5 Interim Prime Minister of Haiti Dr Ariel Henry is escorted during the processional of Heads of Government at the launch of the 45th Regular Meeting of Caricom at the Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain, on Monday, July 3. (Courtesy Photo)

Both Skerrit and Guterres were speaking at Monday’s launch of the 45th Caricom regular meeting and 50th-anniversary celebrations at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Guterres, who wished CARICOM “Happy Birthday,” said he had come to the summit from Haiti.

“The security situation is appalling; the humanitarian needs are soaring and there is not yet a full political solution in sight. We must help ease the suffering of the Haitian people,” Guterras said.

He added that he would continue to push for a robust international security force authorized by the Security Council to be able to help the Haitian national police to defeat and dismantle gangs there.

“I reiterate my call to all partners to increase support for the national police in the form of financing, training, and equipment,” Guterres said, adding the challenges seen in Haiti require greater engagement and solidarity.

“And that is precisely the founding spirit of CARICOM.” WI